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

In Burgundy, the directors train their exquisitely observational vérité gaze over the vineyards, owners and workers whose lives revolve around production and consumption of the famed French red.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
The documentary reality of Ryan’s life leans on observational verité techniques, with the camera often placed at an unobtrusive distance and following their freewheeling motions.

— Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of observational

Adjective

What a new deal needs to do is to place verifiable limits on defenses that give the other parties a sense of predictability.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
The evidence lens asks what verifiable information supports the choice—beyond reputation or familiarity.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of verifiable

Adjective

While the class was divided between protectionists and free-traders, the teacher gave no indication of his own views, and the textbook presented objective facts along with arguments from both sides.

— Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 Sep. 2026
On any objective comparison, our project should have survived.

— Aurelien Mangano, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 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

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

Traditional ride-hailing faces what could be an existential threat from the rise of robotaxis, which developers say are safer and more efficient.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
But more existential worries have since surfaced, such as whether students are being adequately prepared and the tech’s impact on career opportunities.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 2 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

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empiric

empirical

empiricist

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“Empirical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/empirical. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of empirical

adjective

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