1
as in developmental
made or done as an experiment
an experimental procedure for patients suffering from leukemia
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in empirical
based on observation or experience
asserted that experimental knowledge is vastly superior to idle speculation and theorizing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of experimental
Who else has made music, in the full glare of the pop spotlight, that has been incredibly experimental and cutting edge and pushing everything forward?
—
New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Why should the regulatory oversight of powerful experimental drugs be any different?
—Marty Makary, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
And while cousin North West has been known to rock experimental and daring ensembles, Penelope, nicknamed Poosh by her mom, is slowly forging her own cool sense of style (with the occasional collab with her cousin, of course).
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
These newer methods include ethnographic-anthropological research (also known as participant observation), neuroscience, and experimental lab designs.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for experimental
New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Why should the regulatory oversight of powerful experimental drugs be any different?
—Marty Makary, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
And while cousin North West has been known to rock experimental and daring ensembles, Penelope, nicknamed Poosh by her mom, is slowly forging her own cool sense of style (with the occasional collab with her cousin, of course).
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
These newer methods include ethnographic-anthropological research (also known as participant observation), neuroscience, and experimental lab designs.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for experimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for experimental
Adjective
-
Had 10 pass deflections in 2025 and five interceptions in 2024, and could be a developmental ball-hawk behind Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones (the latter of which is on an expiring deal).—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The developmental ceiling is worth the investment.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The leading option for this was developed by John Moffat in the same year that the Bullet Cluster’s empirical proof was released.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Sourcing Similar to other empirical approaches, sourcing analysis studies are also preoccupied with questions of audience voice, among wider questions of power and access to public debate.—
Daniel Jackson,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Multiple protests have been held throughout the region, and the IURC hosted an investigative inquiry and community listening sessions statewide.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The current Mayor Bobby Sanchez, a Democrat, fired Blogoslawski after making the four-page investigative report public on April 15.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Adamson was involved in an observational study, published in 2024, of 30 combat veterans with traumatic brain injuries who underwent ibogaine treatment in Mexico.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The study, published in the Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, was a systematic review of 10 observational studies, which together included nearly 470,000 Americans between 15 and 39.—
Ciara McCarthy
April 20,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The network discontinued its long-standing school report cards, which had provided leaders with an objective measure of their schools’ quality, including not only student outcomes but also staff and student satisfaction.—
Steven F. Wilson,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In the 21st century, venues for opinionated public affairs content have proliferated in all forms of media, even those traditionally reserved for objective news.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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According to court records, an unsecured bond of $30,000 was set for Mours, who is due to face a preliminary hearing next month.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Steven Jones was shot and killed after his sister called 911 and said he was armed with a knife during a mental health crisis and had cut himself, according to a preliminary report from the Connecticut Office of Inspector General.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The story follows an astronaut (Kirby) who is forced to make an impossible decision after an incident with her co-pilot (Pullman) leaves an indelible stain on the mission in the days leading up to lift off, setting off a tense race against the clock.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
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In 2014, a test flight operated by Scaled Composites, the company that designed and built the spaceplane, crashed and killed co-pilot Michael Alsbury.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/experimental. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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