theoretically
in principle; according to reasonable assumptions or rules, as opposed to what actually happens: Theoretically they are free to work, but in practice they can’t because we do not recognize their credentials.
in a way that is purely speculative; hypothetically: It seems that theoretically the central bank could constrain government spending by allowing treasury checks to bounce.
according to, or in a way that relates to, a scientific theory: An alloy with a particular composition can be modeled to determine theoretically whether it has suitable mechanical and physical properties for medical applications.
in a way that relates to the set of principles or methods belonging to a particular subject, art, or activity:Taking classes in all four fields—politics, economics, history, and culture—allows students to be grounded theoretically in the humanities and social sciences.
Origin of theoretically
1Other words from theoretically
- an·ti·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb
- non·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb
- un·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb
Words Nearby theoretically
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use theoretically in a sentence
“Renormalization helps us simplify the problem,” said Nathan Seiberg, a theoretical physicist at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.
How Mathematical ‘Hocus-Pocus’ Saved Particle Physics | Charlie Wood | September 17, 2020 | Quanta MagazineThis is a theoretical belief, believed with the same passion and conviction as other politically charged theoretical beliefs.
Believing in Monsters: David Livingstone Smith on the Subhuman - Facts So Romantic | Eric Schwitzgebel | September 11, 2020 | NautilusFrom there, a theoretical distinction emerged where sex refers to facts about biological bodies.
While some of us thought the change was only temporary, maybe for a few weeks, we were actually experiencing the dramatic onset of the theoretical topic we all called “the future of work.”
Research: Only 25 percent of professionals expect to be working from home long-term | DailyPay | August 17, 2020 | DigidayTheir theoretical exploration suggested — against prevailing wisdom — that graviton noise is in principle observable.
We could theoretically cause a lot of damage should we take that route.
Obama Could Hit China to Punish North Korea | Shane Harris, Tim Mak | December 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTtheoretically, the ship can take on all comers in the air, sea, underwater or on land.
Can the Navy's $12 Billion Stealth Destroyer Stay Afloat? | Dave Majumdar | October 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe could, theoretically, present himself as a model citizen who made a mistake while obscuring what the mistakes been.
The Weirdest Story About a Conservative Obsession, a Convicted Bomber, and Taylor Swift You Have Ever Read | David Weigel | August 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd so theoretically they could have gone out and made the film without ever being in touch with me.
A Trailblazer in YA Dystopian Fiction: An Interview With 'The Giver' Author Lois Lowry | Marianne Hayes | August 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBarring commercial breaks (or sleep), it would theoretically take about seven days to watch all 25 seasons of ‘The Simpsons.’
A 200-Hour ‘Simpsons’ Marathon? That’s Unpossible! | Rich Goldstein | July 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis rule, theoretically correct, must be very liberally interpreted in practice.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)He applies practically in his work those laws which the scientist furnishes him with theoretically.
The Painter in Oil | Daniel Burleigh Parkhursttheoretically the periodic sentence is better than the loose sentence; for it economizes attention.
English: Composition and Literature | W. F. (William Franklin) WebsterAll the frogs produced were males, so that the race (of frogs) could not even be theoretically carried on by that method.
Taboo and Genetics | Melvin Moses Knight, Iva Lowther Peters, and Phyllis Mary BlanchardAt a later period the control of the Senate over legislation became theoretically less, but practically greater.
The Two Great Republics: Rome and the United States | James Hamilton Lewis
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