anecdotal evidence

noun

: evidence in the form of stories that people tell about what has happened to them
His conclusions are not supported by data; they are based only on anecdotal evidence.

Examples of anecdotal evidence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Still, crime data is notoriously difficult to track and understand, and experts say anecdotal evidence on social media can heavily influence public perceptions of safety and crime. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024 There is growing anecdotal evidence that for the first time in Russian history, members of the Russian elite and their children have started to learn Mandarin. Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024 The findings provide firm scientific support for anecdotal evidence brown rats had become dominant, outcompeting black rats in most early North American coastal cities by the 1800s. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024 Mounting anecdotal evidence from countries like Mexico, where veterinarians can legally administer the plant or its compounds, suggests benefits across a variety of other conditions in species as varied as parrots, turtles and hyenas. Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 Kratom use on the rise The number of people in the United States who use kratom is unclear, though anecdotal evidence and import records suggests an increase in interest and usage. Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, 26 Mar. 2024 However, anecdotal evidence of mounting Ukrainian casualties in the war was reinforced by claims made on Ukrainian television this weekend by the country's former prosecutor general. Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2024 This was a larger proportion than the researchers had expected based on prior anecdotal evidence. Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 How climate change is fueling stronger atmospheric rivers 05:06 Such findings jibe with a growing body of research, along with ample anecdotal evidence, that underscores the vast scale of the problem for homeowners. Alain Sherter, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anecdotal evidence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near anecdotal evidence

Cite this Entry

“Anecdotal evidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anecdotal%20evidence. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

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