experimental

adjective

ik-ˌsper-ə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce experimental (audio)
Definition of experimentalnext
1
as in developmental
made or done as an experiment an experimental procedure for patients suffering from leukemia

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in empirical
based on observation or experience asserted that experimental knowledge is vastly superior to idle speculation and theorizing

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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 experimental Other companies are testing longer-acting biologics, including one experimental drug aiming for a single injection just once a year, compared with the every-two-month schedule most patients follow now. — Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 The portfolio also incorporates repurposed leather, biodegradable liquid latex and experimental materials made from orange peels and coffee grounds. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026 Then came the 2024 experimental short doc Richard, a particularly personal film. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 Analysts at the firm said the stock, after a huge surge following the success in a trial of its experimental cancer vaccine for melanoma, is now overvalued. — Darla Mercado, Cfp®,davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for experimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for experimental
  1. developmental
  2. empirical
  3. investigative
  4. observational
  5. preliminary
  6. objective
  7. pilot
Adjective
  • The medicine showed no benefit compared to a sham treatment in the rare disease, which causes severe intellectual disability and developmental delays.
    — Andrew Joseph, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Parents often face a steep, expensive learning curve when navigating youth sports with older children, overscheduling them and committing developmental mistakes.
    — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of developmental
Adjective
  • But, Stemler said, there isn’t much empirical data to show how pervasive this practice is, mostly just anecdotes.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Allowing subjective confidence to silently acquire the epistemological status of empirical verification is neither verification nor evidence.
    — Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of empirical
Adjective
  • Boston said the charges followed years of investigative work from the DeKalb Cold Case Task Force, using advanced technology in DNA and genealogy mapping in cold cases.
    — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Regan was allegedly upset with David Green, president of SEIU Local 721 who had just left for the airport, and began randomly screaming at Li, according to the investigative report on the probe commissioned by the state council.
    — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of investigative
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
  • Scrutiny of the project would later intensify after preliminary designs were released late last year.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But Huby’s bigger passion has always been human spaceflight, and her company has begun preliminary work on a crew spacecraft that could serve either the International Space Station or private space stations under development by US companies.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of preliminary
Adjective
  • Property managers still need objective, consistent standards to evaluate applicants and reduce risk.
    — Nathan Miller, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of objective
Adjective
  • The result is a system that, in the long term, could carry out sub hunting autonomously, but in the short term acts as an onboard co-pilot, freeing up human operators while doubling sonobuoy processing capacity.
    — David Szondy August 12, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Lemmon, 31, and her co-pilot Bland, 52, were killed in the crash, along with Barker’s assistant Baker, 29, and his bodyguard Still, 25.
    — Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of pilot

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experiment
experimental
experimentation
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Cite this Entry

“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/experimental. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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