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 An experimental skin cream altered molecular markers associated with aging and inflammation in an early human trial, according to preliminary data released by its developer this week. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Naomi Ackie, who plays the scientist charged with Hagen’s experimental procedure, praised how her co-star shouldered what was a very challenging role. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 For generally available models, notice periods can range from around 60 days to six months, while preview or experimental models may be retired with considerably less notice. — Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Rankin forgoes talking heads entirely, instead remixing archival footage, animation, and music to trace Mulroney’s rise to power in what feels like an experimental vintage fever dream. — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 16 Oct. 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 developmental flight test marked a significant step because the RIG-360 system and a PAC-3 missile communicated with each other during flight.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Rookie Jack Strand's role as a developmental player won't change as long as the Falcons keep four quarterbacks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of developmental
Adjective
  • The risks posed by obesity, however, are based on more empirical data.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Both Fontaines were scouts well ahead of the deep empirical and objective analysis of baseball data — sabermetrics is the catchall term — that some believe has made scouts obsolete.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of empirical
Adjective
  • Terrorism sentences are tougher, and counter-terrorism forces have greater investigative powers.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Under California law, the governor may offer rewards of up to $50,000 in certain unsolved cases at the request of law enforcement agencies that have exhausted investigative leads.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of investigative
Adjective
  • The Swedish polymath explores the sounds, language, and imagery of Americana on a drolly observational singer-songwriter album.
    — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Mike Elliott, senior director of Banner Sports Medicine High Performance Center, told Banner Health that most of the available research is observational and shows association rather than direct cause.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of observational
Adjective
  • There are also plans afoot by the French defense procurement agency (DGA) called SNA3G, which are preliminary plans for an eventual replacement of the Suffren-class in the future.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Martelly’s name was among 16 listed Friday on the Provisional Electoral Council’s website as having preliminary registered to run.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of preliminary
Adjective
  • By any objective standard, that technology was outdated, labor-intensive, imprecise, and inefficient.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • As a documentarian, Oppenheim felt that truth is what can be captured through preparation and sometimes by accident on relatively objective devices — cameras, microphones.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of objective
Adjective
  • Everyone has a co-pilot license, a few motivated teams have built something useful, and the data foundation is partly there.
    — Shweta Gummidipudi, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Kreiz, who announced his exit from Mattel earlier Wednesday, was already talking with Ellison about a high-level exec post at ParaBros – but the co-pilot gig didn’t always seem to be in the cards.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 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 25 Oct. 2026.

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