as in empirical
based on observation or experience
her reports on the great apes were based on firsthand observational evidence
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Recent Examples of observational
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 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
The scientific evidence behind the drug so far consists mostly of small observational studies and open-label trials.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
This type of observational study looks at people who have symptoms related to the disease of interest (in this case, COVID-19) and have the same test-seeking behavior.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
Researchers started noticing something peculiar over the years of observational data.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Apr. 2026
Soder is a comic’s comic whose sharp observational style and affable demeanor has earned him a strong reputation on the club circuit.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
Field-trip training To hone their observational skills, the Artemis 2 crew did classroom training in lunar fundamentals.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The systemic review included 28 observational studies with more than 86,000 participants who were followed for at least one year after experiencing a minor stroke.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
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 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
The scientific evidence behind the drug so far consists mostly of small observational studies and open-label trials.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
This type of observational study looks at people who have symptoms related to the disease of interest (in this case, COVID-19) and have the same test-seeking behavior.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
Researchers started noticing something peculiar over the years of observational data.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Apr. 2026
Soder is a comic’s comic whose sharp observational style and affable demeanor has earned him a strong reputation on the club circuit.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
Field-trip training To hone their observational skills, the Artemis 2 crew did classroom training in lunar fundamentals.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The systemic review included 28 observational studies with more than 86,000 participants who were followed for at least one year after experiencing a minor stroke.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observational
Adjective
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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
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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
-
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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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Observational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observational. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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