anecdotal

adjective

an·ec·dot·al | \ ˌa-nik-ˈdō-tᵊl

Definition of anecdotal

1 : based on or consisting of reports or observations of usually unscientific observers anecdotal evidence health benefits that may be more anecdotal than factual

2a : of, relating to, or consisting of anecdotes an anecdotal biography

b : given to or skilled in telling anecdotes : anecdotic sense 2 my anecdotal uncle

3 : of, relating to, or being the depiction of a scene suggesting a story anecdotal details

Other Words from anecdotal More Example Sentences Learn More About anecdotal

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Examples of anecdotal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And judging from the anecdotal evidence of our own eyes, motorists here in Minnesota are behaving with diminishing regard for courtesy and the rule of law. — Editorial Board, Star Tribune, 14 July 2021 No one tracks that information, though National Association of Home Builders economist Paul Emrath said his organization is hearing anecdotal accounts that suggest it’s happening more often. — Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 10 June 2021 There have been plenty of anecdotal accounts of restaurant and bar owners, in particular, not being able to hire. — Matt Simon, Wired, 1 June 2021 Then there are the myriad anecdotal accounts from travel professionals. — Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 25 May 2021 Manufacturing, construction, transportation and other businesses also are reporting increasing difficulty filling jobs and finding staff, according to the Fed’s anecdotal accounts of economic activity in April. — Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2021 Jackman is one of 30 people who had lived on the streets in the Salem area who died in the past 14 months, according to anecdotal accounts. — Saphara Harrell, oregonlive, 18 Apr. 2021 Some doctors have observed differences in the clinical manifestations of the coronavirus disease in the second wave, though these are purely anecdotal accounts at the moment. — Vijayta Lalwani, Quartz, 15 Apr. 2021 There were anecdotal accounts of airplanes trailing a fine white spray. — New York Times, 16 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anecdotal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.