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

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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

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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 An experimental skin cream altered molecular markers associated with aging and inflammation in an early human trial, according to preliminary data released by its developer this week. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Naomi Ackie, who plays the scientist charged with Hagen’s experimental procedure, praised how her co-star shouldered what was a very challenging role. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 For generally available models, notice periods can range from around 60 days to six months, while preview or experimental models may be retired with considerably less notice. — Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Rankin forgoes talking heads entirely, instead remixing archival footage, animation, and music to trace Mulroney’s rise to power in what feels like an experimental vintage fever dream. — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 16 Oct. 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
  • Scouting and developmental programs would become overwhelmingly vital overnight.
    — Isaac Tellechea, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
  • California spends billions of dollars each year on developmental services, including support for people with autism.
    — Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of developmental
Adjective
  • The risks posed by obesity, however, are based on more empirical data.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Both Fontaines were scouts well ahead of the deep empirical and objective analysis of baseball data — sabermetrics is the catchall term — that some believe has made scouts obsolete.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of empirical
Adjective
  • The Bend Police Department remains the lead investigative agency, Schmidt said.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Further investigative projects are being developed around exclusive access to compelling real-life stories.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of investigative
Adjective
  • Getting observational data from Thwaites’ grounding line is the next step, Rignot said.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Luminous The premiere-only section Luminous presents a wide range of styles and formalist approaches, from observational to personal to experimental.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of observational
Adjective
  • There are also plans afoot by the French defense procurement agency (DGA) called SNA3G, which are preliminary plans for an eventual replacement of the Suffren-class in the future.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Martelly’s name was among 16 listed Friday on the Provisional Electoral Council’s website as having preliminary registered to run.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of preliminary
Adjective
  • Oklahoma Voice provides original, objective reporting examining the intersection of policy, impact and power.
    — Dara Kass, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
  • On an objective level, this is so close to n log n that the distinction almost doesn’t matter.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of objective
Adjective
  • Everyone has a co-pilot license, a few motivated teams have built something useful, and the data foundation is partly there.
    — Shweta Gummidipudi, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Kreiz, who announced his exit from Mattel earlier Wednesday, was already talking with Ellison about a high-level exec post at ParaBros – but the co-pilot gig didn’t always seem to be in the cards.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of pilot

Browse Nearby Words

experiment
experimental
experimentation
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Cite this Entry

“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/experimental. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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