INVESTIGATIVE Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

investigative

adjective

Definition of investigative

as in exploratory

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Recent Examples of investigative Catering to the Volume, Not the Power User From a purely capitalistic standpoint, power users who demand high literacy, strict prompt adherence, and investigative rigor represent a tiny fraction of Google's user base. — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026 Some recommendations include mandating body cameras for caseworkers and ensuring that people with multiple investigative complaints are disqualified from being adoptive parents. — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026 Dozens of law enforcement officers were at the apartment building where the shooting occurred Wednesday evening, along with a mobile crime scene unit from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the state investigative agency. — Ellen Schmidt, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The Department of Homeland Security is ramping up an effort to look for voter fraud across the country through its investigative arm, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), according to multiple sources familiar with the operation. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 The Russian investigative committee said the serviceman survived the attack and was transported to a hospital. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 Wednesday’s announcement validates the investigative reporting of journalist and podcaster Pablo Torre. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Edwards has denied the allegations, but ended his reelection bid after the House Ethics Committee posted their investigative findings last month. — Claudia Grisales, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 Just weeks after the attacks, Congress passed the landmark USA Patriot Act by an overwhelming and bipartisan vote, expanding the government's investigative and surveillance powers. — Susan Page, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigative

Adjective

Shapiro did not weigh in on the dome debate, deferring to the franchise’s exploratory process.

— Zach Berman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
At this stage, the project remains exploratory, and the available information does not establish an economic deposit or future source of supply.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of exploratory

Adjective

But in 2018 Trump signed the Right to Try Act, which allows terminally ill patients to access certain experimental drugs and immunotherapy treatments that have not received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Hubble and Webb both have coronagraphs, but Roman’s experimental instrument is 100 to 1,000 times better than any built before, said Bertrand Mennesson, Roman deputy project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of experimental

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

Legal professionals must carefully weigh the probative value against potential juror backlash, educate the jury on the evidence's legitimacy, and consider whether to integrate AI chats cautiously or even forgo them entirely.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Our system already demands that evidence be relevant and probative.

— Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026

Definition of probative

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

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“Investigative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigative. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of investigative

adjective

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