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 How the agency rules on the experimental vaccine made by Moderna has big implications for the future of mRNA research. — Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 Tall boots from Empty Behavior, which is described as an experimental footwear brand. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 July 2026 Kyrie Irving, Novak Djokovic, Aaron Rodgers, Cole Beasley, Tyler Bertuzzi, and every day Americans were relentlessly vilified for not taking an experimental drug during the pandemic. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026 Google applied for an experimental use permit to inject mosquitoes with a specific strain of the Wolbachia pipientis bacteria, which would prevent them from breeding. — Kimberly Miller, USA Today, 31 July 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
  • Research has consistently shown that social deprivation and isolation during critical developmental periods are associated with harm to cognitive development and language acquisition.
    — Anna Tsioulias, STAT, 29 July 2026
  • The hairline is simply where one developmental decision gives way to another.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of developmental
Adjective
  • Sustained high performance by firms that treat customer value as primary remains the strongest empirical rebuttal.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • So far, though, the empirical pattern in fields like software, law, medicine, and content translation is that demand for human work shifts and grows as AI spreads.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 July 2026
Definition of empirical
Adjective
  • There is now a permanent investigative squad on the case, along with a new special agent in charge.
    — Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Released after Kohberger pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2025, the series incorporates newly public investigative records, police interviews, courtroom testimony, and evidence that wasn’t available when previous projects were made.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Definition of investigative
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
  • Last month, oil prices briefly fell to their lowest level since before the war on news that a preliminary peace agreement had been reached.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • The trouble began over the weekend, NASA said, well after LINK had hit several preliminary milestones, such as deploying its solar-power arrays and test firing its xenon-gas thrusters, during its commissioning phase.
    — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
Definition of preliminary
Adjective
  • The hearing follows a White House report that argued the Smithsonian Institution had abandoned objective scholarship in favor of progressive activism.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 21 July 2026
  • The 50mm objective lenses are the benchmark for stargazing binoculars and are able to deliver bright views of the night sky.
    — Harry Bennett, Space.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of objective
Adjective
  • The technology is designed to act as a co-pilot, augmenting rather than replacing the training, professionalism and instinct of experienced emergency personnel.
    — Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • The pilot and co-pilot, both American, died in the accident, which occurred at La Romana International Airport, the airport said in a statement.
    — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Definition of pilot

Browse Nearby Words

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 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of experimental for Spanish Speakers

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