empirical

adjective

im-ˈpir-i-kəl How to pronounce empirical (audio)
variants also empiric
Definition of empiricalnext
1
as in observational
based on observation or experience guidelines for raising children that are based on empirical evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 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 While there have been many lawsuits and much news reporting, there has been little empirical research testing whether a concentration in treatment centers are tied to a significant increase in overdoses in the area, the report said. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 5 July 2026 The surge also did considerable damage to the buildings within the surge zone, 85% of which were residential buildings, according to New York University's Furman Center, an empirical research institution. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for empirical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for empirical
  1. observational
  2. verifiable
  3. objective
  4. demonstrable
  5. experimental
  6. confirmable
  7. existential
  8. supportable
Adjective
  • Experts emphasized that observational studies show association rather than direct causation.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
  • Researchers now have access to longer and better observational records from weather stations, satellites and other monitoring systems.
    — Deepti Singh, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
Definition of observational
Adjective
  • Authority must be independently verifiable, revocable and time-limited.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The global textile industry is changing, driven by a clear and growing need for transparency and verifiable responsible practices across its supply chains.
    — SJ Studio, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Definition of verifiable
Adjective
  • Better yet, ask whether leadership could audit decisions against those values using objective criteria instead of personal opinion.
    — Brandon Shannon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Here, Wicker made a fair, if not strictly objective, evaluation.
    — Heather Hendershot, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
Definition of objective
Adjective
  • The article highlights how the digital age and creator economy have rendered traditional qualifications insufficient, shifting value from scarce degrees to demonstrable skills and personal branding.
    — Alli Kushner, Forbes.com, 29 July 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
  • Bardstown Bourbon Company, which is well known for indulging its experimental impulses, decided to blend together bourbon and rye and finish it in pineapple rum barrels with pieces of pineapple added to the whiskey for good measure.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The panel, several of whom are sellers of experimental peptides, dismissed the views of the agency’s staff, voting in favor of allowing compounding production of comparatively unregulated peptide treatments.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 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
  • The speed and intensity of the resistance shows that many of the world soccer’s power brokers view the plan as an existential challenge rather than merely another commercial initiative.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • On the title track, a spare arrangement slowly unfurls around James’ voice, its shifting texture and gauzy atmosphere giving his existential musings the quality of a private incantation.
    — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 28 July 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

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empiric
empirical
empiricist
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Cite this Entry

“Empirical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empirical. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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