empirically

adverb

em·​pir·​i·​cal·​ly im-ˈpir-i-k(ə-)lē 

em-

: in an empirical manner : with a basis in or reliance on information obtained through observation, experiment, or experience

a theory that has not yet been tested empirically

… using Tycho Brahe's most exhaustive astronomical observations in history, Kepler had empirically demonstrated that the planets orbit elliptically.

—Charles Krauthammer

The statistical models were flawed, the defense maintained, noting that none had been empirically tested.

—Simon Cole

Examples of empirically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Smoking, on the other hand, has been empirically linked to sagging breasts. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026

But it hasn’t actually been tested empirically in any rigorous way. —Outside, 30 Dec. 2025

And there are few, if any, ethically and empirically sound ways to test whether a campus fortified with ShotSpotter or the newest AI surveillance cameras is less likely to experience an active shooter incident because the probability of that school being victimized is already so low. —Emily Greene-Colozzi, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025

Researchers will be answering many questions about A.I. empirically, by trying to build better A.I. and seeing what works. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for empirically

• satirically