EMPIRICAL Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

empirical

adjective

im-ˈpir-i-kəl

variants also empiric

Definition of empirical

as in observational

based on observation or experience guidelines for raising children that are based on empirical evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in verifiable

capable of being proven as true or real a philosopher who does not regard "God exists" as an empirical statement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of empirical Ross and Roychoudhury relied on the empirical record, looking at studies from others who have studied this issue. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026 In general, Smith Galer’s empirical examples tend toward the optimistic. — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 But extrapolating from limited empirical studies paints a grim picture. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 July 2026 When the director of a passion play offered to nail Bautista to a cross in the name of empirical authenticity, the anthropologist declined. — H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for empirical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for empirical

Adjective

Her peerless ability to weave a story with keen observational skills and a guitar.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
While the study doesn’t prove that earlier menopause causes these brain changes, the observational findings add to existing evidence that the timing of menopause may be one factor that helps shape brain health later in life.

— Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of observational

Adjective

Drift and Fiscal Waste When governance lacks objective metrics and community centering, the real-world consequences are severe.

— Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
This is where fantasy sports becomes more art than science, so let’s focus on the objective goals of weekly lineup construction first.

— Sports Betting, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of objective

Adjective

Professors have encountered demonstrable issues with widespread cheating, with many forced to devise their own methods for eliminating unethical AI use.

— Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
America has witnessed a proliferation of voting rights groups with sound justification and demonstrable results, but there comes a point when there may be too much of a good thing.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026

Definition of demonstrable

Adjective

But in 2018 Trump signed the Right to Try Act, which allows terminally ill patients to access certain experimental drugs and immunotherapy treatments that have not received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Hubble and Webb both have coronagraphs, but Roman’s experimental instrument is 100 to 1,000 times better than any built before, said Bertrand Mennesson, Roman deputy project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of experimental

Adjective

Binding it all together is the chain-of-custody record that includes every handoff between teams, vendors and systems, with verification signatures that make each component's provenance independently confirmable.

— Akash Pugalia, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Cekada is only the third person to be confirmed to lead the agency since the director's position was made confirmable in 2006.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 May 2026

Definition of confirmable

Adjective

Medvedev, 30, is having the kind of season that might drive a player toward intrusive, existential thoughts — even before considering the fact that he is predisposed to them like few sports stars are.

— James Hansen, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Spector, 45, sees something recognizable in George’s existential moment.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of existential

Adjective

The output has to be supportable, reviewable and grounded in information that can actually survive scrutiny later.

— Arun Ramakrishnan, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Claims about artificial intelligence must be technically accurate, operationally supportable, and consistent with the company’s financial results.

— Perrie M. Weiner, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of supportable

Browse Nearby Words

empiric

empirical

empiricist

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“Empirical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empirical. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of empirical

adjective

Example Sentences

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