THEORETICAL

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

I. (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations

Example:

theoretical science

Synonyms:

theoretic; theoretical

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

abstractive (of an abstracting nature or having the power of abstracting)

a priori (based on hypothesis or theory rather than experiment)

conjectural; divinatory; hypothetic; hypothetical; supposed; suppositional; suppositious; supposititious (based primarily on surmise rather than adequate evidence)

notional; speculative (not based on fact or investigation)

metaphysical (highly abstract and overly theoretical)

theory-based (based in theory rather than experiment)

Antonym:

empirical (derived from experiment and observation rather than theory)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Concerned with theories rather than their practical applications

Example:

theoretical physics

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

abstract (dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention)

academic (hypothetical or theoretical and not expected to produce an immediate or practical result)

pure (concerned with theory and data rather than practice; opposed to applied)

Antonym:

applied (concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles)

Credits

Context examples:

Combining observational data with theoretical models, the team of astronomers from the UK, Chile and Germany were able to paint a clearer image of this unique system.

(First Giant Planet around White Dwarf Found, ESO)

These results show that different chemical elements can no longer be assumed to be equally abundant in planetary atmospheres, challenging assumptions in several theoretical models.

(Water common – yet scarce – in exoplanets, University of Cambridge)

By combining the latest theoretical predictions, statistical tools and new Hubble observations, we now have a much more robust result than was previously possible.

(Cosmic Magnifying Glasses Find Dark Matter in Small Clumps, NASA)

He has his own little methods, which are, if he won’t mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Their image revealed three distinct gaps in the disc, which, according to their theoretical modelling, were most likely caused by three additional gas giant planets also orbiting the young star.

(Giant planets around young star raise questions about how planets form, University of Cambridge)

Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the neurological system, processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.

(Neurological Model, NCI Thesaurus)

Given the name Nemesis, this theoretical trouble maker has been proposed as a reason behind an apparent 27-million-year cycle of extinctions on Earth, including the one that saw off most of the dinosaurs.

(Our Sun Could Have Been Born With an Evil Twin Called "Nemesis", The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The study, led by Vance, provides new theoretical evidence for the team's "club sandwich" model, first proposed last year.

(Ganymede may harbor 'club sandwich' of oceans and ice, NASA)

The research exploits a new theoretical model based on the scale invariance of the empty space, potentially solving two of astronomy's greatest mysteries.

(There May Be No Dark Matter, Dark Energy in Universe, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

"From our experiments and theoretical model, we figured out that surface tension of the fluid is one of the crucial factors promoting the water to get stuck in ear canals," said Baskota.