experimental

adjective

ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce experimental (audio)
Definition of experimentalnext
1
as in developmental
made or done as an experiment an experimental procedure for patients suffering from leukemia

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of experimental That experimental footwear, founded by Sara Blakely, produces its shoes in Spain and Italy using napa leather and Italian mesh. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026 Engineers at Cambridge Atomworks have started experimental testing on the ODIN micro-reactor at a new site in Granta Park, Cambridge. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 Lilly said a study showed people on its experimental, next-generation weight-loss shot retatrutide achieved weight loss of 19% to 28%. — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Dolly Parton’s little sister Stella Parton has revealed the country music icon asked her medical team to try experimental drugs on her to help future cancer patients battle their own health struggles. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for experimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for experimental
  1. developmental
  2. empirical
  3. investigative
  4. observational
  5. preliminary
  6. objective
  7. pilot
Adjective
  • Parents often face a steep, expensive learning curve when navigating youth sports with older children, overscheduling them and committing developmental mistakes.
    — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Charlotte has Ogden Syndrome, a rare condition that can cause severe developmental delays, and pica, an eating disorder that prompts her to try to eat nearly everything in reach, including non-food items.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of developmental
Adjective
  • But, Stemler said, there isn’t much empirical data to show how pervasive this practice is, mostly just anecdotes.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Allowing subjective confidence to silently acquire the epistemological status of empirical verification is neither verification nor evidence.
    — Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of empirical
Adjective
  • These statements show a total disregard for confidentiality, basic investigative standards and the seriousness of ethics violations.
    — Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • On Thursday, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office investigative and tactical teams served a high-risk search warrant at a residence in Salinas and took the suspect into custody.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of investigative
Adjective
  • Her peerless ability to weave a story with keen observational skills and a guitar.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • While the study doesn’t prove that earlier menopause causes these brain changes, the observational findings add to existing evidence that the timing of menopause may be one factor that helps shape brain health later in life.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of observational
Adjective
  • The judge issued his ruling at the conclusion of a court session Tuesday, which continued the preliminary hearing that was largely held over a week in early July before a nearly two-month recess to prepare for closing arguments.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The prosecution and defense both gave closing arguments Tuesday during the second preliminary hearing since July, which is a limited purpose proceeding held for a judge to determine whether the charges are justified.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of preliminary
Adjective
  • While the class was divided between protectionists and free-traders, the teacher gave no indication of his own views, and the textbook presented objective facts along with arguments from both sides.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 Sep. 2026
  • On any objective comparison, our project should have survived.
    — Aurelien Mangano, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of objective
Adjective
  • The result is a system that, in the long term, could carry out sub hunting autonomously, but in the short term acts as an onboard co-pilot, freeing up human operators while doubling sonobuoy processing capacity.
    — David Szondy August 12, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Lemmon, 31, and her co-pilot Bland, 52, were killed in the crash, along with Barker’s assistant Baker, 29, and his bodyguard Still, 25.
    — Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of pilot

Browse Nearby Words

experiment
experimental
experimentation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/experimental. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All