nonempirical

adjective

non·​em·​pir·​i·​cal ˌnän-im-ˈpir-i-kəl How to pronounce nonempirical (audio)
-em-
: not empirical
nonempirical evidence/beliefs
The … model has been criticized for having a relatively unscientific, nonempirical basis …Nancy Melucci

Examples of nonempirical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The enforcement of such nonempirical standards as taste and judgment implies a kind of cultural and aesthetic hierarchy that Silicon Valley’s ruling class embraces ruthlessly but will never admit to countenancing. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 20 Oct. 2019 Each story represents a fresh challenge of how to say things in a nonempirical way. Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 24 June 2018

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

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonempirical was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near nonempirical

Cite this Entry

“Nonempirical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonempirical. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on nonempirical

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!