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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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 experimental Right now, the multi-trillion-dollar global apparel industry is undergoing an aggressive technological shift, adopting artificial intelligence as a production standard rather than an experimental pilot. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 July 2026 This spring saw the opening of so many new restaurants to add to your list, from Korean barbecue in Midtown to experimental seafood in a Brooklyn arts space, and more. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 2 July 2026 Created by Lux Entertainment, the Balloon Museum provides an unusual way to experience inflatable art through large-scale exhibitions, experimental design and site-specific works. — Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Lambe is now working with the Serum Institute of India to finish testing the experimental vaccine in ferrets and hopes to have doses ready to test in people in Congo this summer. — Alice Park, Time, 2 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
  • But White or any other developmental prospect who shines in summer league would be more likely to get a two-way contract from the Heat.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
  • Other theories suggest that certain cells within the abdomen may transform into endometrial-like tissue, while some evidence points to stem cells or developmental changes that occur before birth.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of developmental
Adjective
  • No paraprofessional is involved, and while this model isn’t for every child or parent, there is good empirical support for this approach.
    — Doreen Samelson, Forbes.com, 10 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
Definition of empirical
Adjective
  • The single news event that has defined an era of investigative reporting over the last 50 years was the Watergate scandal from 1972-1974, which led President Nixon to resign from office.
    — Andrew Lack, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • That lawsuit, which was filed in 2024 and is ongoing, says that the investigative reports left out key details related to the former employees’ claims.
    — Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Definition of investigative
Adjective
  • While the mission was designed with dark energy, dark matter, and exoplanets in mind, Roman’s unprecedented observational capability will offer practically limitless opportunities for astronomers to explore all kinds of cosmic topics.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026
  • Discuss Hidden Factors Instead Of Selling Features In high-trust industries, skepticism usually decreases when the conversation becomes less transactional and more observational.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of observational
Adjective
  • In a report, the agency's staff recommends that the commission approve the preliminary site and building plans for the arch.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
  • Attorneys argued back and forth on the matter for hours in a Utah courtroom on July 8 during a weeklong preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 9 July 2026
Definition of preliminary
Adjective
  • Note that this has nothing to do with what is the actual or objective truth in the situation.
    — Susan MacKenty Brady, Fortune, 14 July 2026
  • Another highly objective way to cut a losing trade is simply exiting the moment the MACD makes a bearish crossover.
    — Nishant Pant, CNBC, 14 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/experimental. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on experimental

Nglish: Translation of experimental for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All