Synonyms for theoretical

Adjective

1. theoretical (vs. empirical), theoretic, abstractive, a priori, conjectural, divinatory, supposed, suppositional, suppositious, supposititious, hypothetical, hypothetic, notional, speculative, metaphysical, theory-based

usage: concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations; "theoretical science"

2. theoretical (vs. applied), abstract, academic, pure

usage: concerned with theories rather than their practical applications; "theoretical physics"

3. abstract, theoretical, technical (vs. nontechnical)

usage: based on specialized theory; "a theoretical analysis"