theoretically

[ thee-uh-ret-ik-lee ]

/ ˌθi əˈrɛt ɪk li /

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See synonyms for theoretically on Thesaurus.com

adverb

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.

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Origin of theoretically

theoretical + -ly

OTHER WORDS FROM theoretically

an·ti·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverbun·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby theoretically

order of the day, the, Theorell, theorem, theoretic, theoretical, theoretically, theoretician, theoretics, The Orient, Origin of Species, The, theorist

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 Magazine
This 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|Nautilus
From there, a theoretical distinction emerged where sex refers to facts about biological bodies.
No, Animals Do Not Have Genders - Facts So Romantic|Cailin O'Connor|August 26, 2020|Nautilus
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|Digiday

Their theoretical exploration suggested — against prevailing wisdom — that graviton noise is in principle observable.
How the Bits of Quantum Gravity Can Buzz|Thomas Lewton|July 23, 2020|Quanta Magazine
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|DAILY BEAST
Theoretically, 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|DAILY BEAST
He 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|DAILY BEAST
And 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|DAILY BEAST
Barring 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|DAILY BEAST
This 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 Parkhurst
Theoretically the periodic sentence is better than the loose sentence; for it economizes attention.
English: Composition and Literature|W. F. (William Franklin) Webster
All 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 Blanchard
At 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