as in experimental
done or created to find something or to learn more about something
exploratory drilling for oil
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Recent Examples of exploratory
Rather than being organized by standard merchandising categories, the assortment is presented through the lens of era, size, and style, encouraging a more exploratory way of shopping.
—
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 13 Apr. 2026
Company representatives said drilling for an exploratory well began in October and would last about five months.
—Gabriela Sá Pessoa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The book is an exploratory children’s book.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The Baltimore Ravens officially declined to move forward with the project, saying the proposal was only in an exploratory phase, according to CBS News Baltimore.
—Brandon Lingle, San Antonio Express-News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 13 Apr. 2026
Company representatives said drilling for an exploratory well began in October and would last about five months.
—Gabriela Sá Pessoa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The book is an exploratory children’s book.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The Baltimore Ravens officially declined to move forward with the project, saying the proposal was only in an exploratory phase, according to CBS News Baltimore.
—Brandon Lingle, San Antonio Express-News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory
Adjective
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As an experimental device, ITER will not generate electricity for the commercial grid.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
-
One is more of an experimental half-hour comedy.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
29 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
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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
-
Developers routinely file speculative interconnection requests for projects that never get built, flooding queues with phantom demand.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
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The original ordinance was intended to prevent speculative demolition so that a developer could not tear down a house without approval to build a new one.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even the song’s big moment—the climactic return—is muted and tentative here, as what should be the triumphant riff stalls out before its final note.—
Stephen M. Deusner,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
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The city council, meeting as the HRA, will likely vote on tentative developer status for the two developers on May 6.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
27 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
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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
-
Artificial Intelligence has evolved from a theoretical concept to a prevailing element of daily life.—
Kemba Walden,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
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Some of the capacities cited may also represent theoretical potential or systems that are not consistently operating at full scale.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploratory. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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