probative
adjective
pro·ba·tive
ˈprō-bə-tiv 
1
: serving to test or try : exploratory
2
: serving to prove : substantiating
Examples of probative in a Sentence
no dearth of probative evidence for the theory of evolution
Recent Examples on the Web
Perhaps there is no more probative example of this when the current president would not rule out using American military force to take Greenland and/or the Panama Canal.
—
Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2025
Weinstein's lawyers argued before the trial that use of such testimony is more prejudicial than probative, but the judge who presided over the trial decided to allow it following a secret hearing.
—Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 2 June 2022
If the emails are probative, the jury should see them.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 14 May 2022
Her recent albums have been even more probative.
—Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2021
Fulbright shepherded the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution through the Senate in 1964, but two years later, his probative hearings helped shift public opinion against the war.
—James Goldgeier, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2018
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2025
Weinstein's lawyers argued before the trial that use of such testimony is more prejudicial than probative, but the judge who presided over the trial decided to allow it following a secret hearing.
—Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 2 June 2022
If the emails are probative, the jury should see them.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 14 May 2022
Her recent albums have been even more probative.
—Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2021
Fulbright shepherded the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution through the Senate in 1964, but two years later, his probative hearings helped shift public opinion against the war.
—James Goldgeier, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Probative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probative. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
probative
adjective
pro·ba·tive
ˈprō-bə-tiv
1
: serving or tending to prove
evidence of the use of an alias by a defendant is often probative of nothing—Case & Comment
compare prejudicial
Case & Comment2
: of or relating to proof
evidence with probative value
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share