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
Charles KrauthammerThe statistical models were flawed, the defense maintained, noting that none had been empirically tested.—Simon Cole
Simon ColeExamples of empirically in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Because there is no diagnostic test to empirically identify ME/CFS in a patient, the best that medical experts can do is to first rule out other diseases or conditions that could be causing the symptoms.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
There was a story about women who are staying single getting richer in America on Bloomberg, and that is empirically false.
—Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2024
Indeed, there is little here for the prurient: Martin’s divorce is mentioned briefly and without rancor; his courtship with his wife, Anne, is described straightforwardly by both even though falling in love over the phone with your New Yorker fact-checker is, empirically, hilarious.
—Jessica Kiang, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
The Difficulty Level Is the Same People might assume running outside is empirically harder than logging miles inside on a treadmill.
—Jennifer Cohen, Health, 16 Mar. 2024
Zhao presents a robust and empirically rich rebuttal of the realist theory that China’s foreign policy is the straightforward product of its geostrategic position and the broader balance of power.
—Suisheng Zhao, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
However, this conception is empirically false; its roots were heavily influenced by Black music and shaped by Black traditions.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
How Do Our Brains Process Clutter? Productivity isn’t an easy thing to test for empirically, Kastner says.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024
The research empirically finding Huntington’s theory to be wrongheaded continued to mount.
—Jordan Michael Smith, The New Republic, 19 Oct. 2023
Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
There was a story about women who are staying single getting richer in America on Bloomberg, and that is empirically false.
—Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2024
Indeed, there is little here for the prurient: Martin’s divorce is mentioned briefly and without rancor; his courtship with his wife, Anne, is described straightforwardly by both even though falling in love over the phone with your New Yorker fact-checker is, empirically, hilarious.
—Jessica Kiang, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
The Difficulty Level Is the Same People might assume running outside is empirically harder than logging miles inside on a treadmill.
—Jennifer Cohen, Health, 16 Mar. 2024
Zhao presents a robust and empirically rich rebuttal of the realist theory that China’s foreign policy is the straightforward product of its geostrategic position and the broader balance of power.
—Suisheng Zhao, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
However, this conception is empirically false; its roots were heavily influenced by Black music and shaped by Black traditions.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
How Do Our Brains Process Clutter? Productivity isn’t an easy thing to test for empirically, Kastner says.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024
The research empirically finding Huntington’s theory to be wrongheaded continued to mount.
—Jordan Michael Smith, The New Republic, 19 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'empirically.' 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 empirically
Cite this Entry
“Empirically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empirically. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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