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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for empirical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for empirical

Adjective

Total solar eclipses have driven major scientific breakthroughs for more than a century, most famously providing one of the first observational tests of Einstein’s general theory of relativity in 1919.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Because this was an observational study, women who used estrogen may have differed from nonusers in unmeasured ways, including baseline health or frequency of doctor visits.

— Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of observational

Adjective

Each true story brings a different minefield to navigate in terms of what’s verifiable information, what’s unknown and the varying public sentiments.

— Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026
But the bill would not expressly require a verifiable evidence chain across the different systems involved, from when a user initiates a task to the final outcome.

— Aashis Luitel, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of verifiable

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

What starts as a reasonable desire to prevent disease can escalate into constant testing and rigid routines built around an ever-growing roster of supplements and experimental remedies.

— John Vorwald, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026
After the experimental procedure, John missed the entire 1975 season before returning to the big leagues and pitching all the way through the 1989 season.

— Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 16 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

But this is not the first time the United States has tackled an emerging and potentially existential security threat.

— Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
To be sure, those of us wearing keffiyehs in Europe and North America are not facing the same existential, genocidal violence the people of Gaza have been facing for the last 77 years.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 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 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of empirical

adjective

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