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

Kennedy alluded to a pair of observational studies published more than a decade ago.

— Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
The study was observational, meaning researchers looked at existing activity patterns rather than assigning participants to specific walking routines.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of observational

Adjective

Digital credentials and verifiable AI certifications can help here if they are tied to real work.

— Russell Sarder, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
The Associated Press found those numbers were pulled from national studies not specific to the reservation or could not be traced to a verifiable source.

— Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of verifiable

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

At the forefront are Moderna and Merck, whose treatment combines a powerful immunotherapy drug with an experimental made-to-order mRNA cancer vaccine.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Laser weapons are moving beyond experimental laboratories and becoming practical tools for destroying drones, rockets, missiles, and other airborne threats.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 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

Developing pitchers is an existential concern for the Brewers, who had to replace Peralta and cannot rest on unearthing a surprising contributor like Priester once every couple of years.

— Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The everyday reality, at least to date, is less cinematic than the existential framing, Ziegler said.

— Barbara Booth, CNBC, 16 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of empirical

adjective

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