Antonyms for theory
| Grammar : Noun |
| Spell : thee-uh-ree, theer-ee |
| Phonetic Transcription : ˈθi ə ri, ˈθɪər i |
Definition of theory
Origin :- 1590s, "conception, mental scheme," from Late Latin theoria (Jerome), from Greek theoria "contemplation, speculation, a looking at, things looked at," from theorein "to consider, speculate, look at," from theoros "spectator," from thea "a view" + horan "to see" (see warrant (n.)). Sense of "principles or methods of a science or art (rather than its practice)" is first recorded 1610s. That of "an explanation based on observation and reasoning" is from 1630s.
- noun hypothesis, belief
- Here is one theory that swallows up and annihilates all others.
- Extract from : « The Hall of Fantasy (From "Mosses From An Old Manse") » by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- I thought him as true a representative of the people as ever theory could portray.
- Extract from : « Biographical Sketches » by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- But the interference must be regulated by some theory of the individual's rights.
- Extract from : « A Treatise on Parents and Children » by George Bernard Shaw
- It is time now, I think, to test my theory by considering the converse of it.
- Extract from : « The Man Shakespeare » by Frank Harris
- He keeps playing with action as an artist plays with a theory.
- Extract from : « De Profundis » by Oscar Wilde
- "I think that was carrying your theory a little too far," said the professor dubiously.
- Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
- The rest of my theory is embodied in the foregoing narrative.
- Extract from : « The Penance of Magdalena and Other Tales of the California Missions » by J. Smeaton Chase
- Fragments of knowledge came to him, but nothing on which to build a theory of what was wrong.
- Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White
- She had come to believe almost his theory of the future, since it was not repugnant to her prejudices.
- Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad
- Half my theory proved just; that is saying a great deal for any theory.
- Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
Synonyms for theory
- approach
- argument
- assumption
- base
- basis
- code
- codification
- concept
- conditions
- conjecture
- doctrine
- dogma
- feeling
- formularization
- foundation
- grounds
- guess
- guesswork
- hunch
- idea
- ideology
- impression
- method
- outlook
- philosophy
- plan
- position
- postulate
- premise
- presentiment
- presumption
- proposal
- provision
- rationale
- scheme
- shot
- speculation
- stab
- supposal
- suppose
- supposition
- surmise
- suspicion
- system
- systemization
- theorem
- thesis
- understanding
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019