1
as in developmental
made or done as an experiment
an experimental procedure for patients suffering from leukemia
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of experimental
According to a notice in the Federal Register, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing the company’s request for an experimental use permit that would allow the release of up to 16 million mosquitoes annually over a two-year period.
—
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
During the largest Ebola outbreak in history, from 2014 to 2016, research from NIAID scientists offered early evidence that an Ebola vaccine might be safe to give to humans, and the agency stood up trials of two experimental vaccines in Liberia.
—Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 2 June 2026
In 1946, Neff built an experimental residence for his brother Andrew.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 June 2026
Analysts have described the experimental drug as a potential best-in-class treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC).
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for experimental
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
During the largest Ebola outbreak in history, from 2014 to 2016, research from NIAID scientists offered early evidence that an Ebola vaccine might be safe to give to humans, and the agency stood up trials of two experimental vaccines in Liberia.
—Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 2 June 2026
In 1946, Neff built an experimental residence for his brother Andrew.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 June 2026
Analysts have described the experimental drug as a potential best-in-class treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC).
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for experimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for experimental
Adjective
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Today’s mothers are expected to be both hyperrational project managers — scheduling enrichment, monitoring nutrition, tracking developmental milestones — and deeply intuitive caregivers, continuously consulting their emotional compass for guidance about their children and themselves.—
Nina Bandelj,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
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Branching is when an eaglet perches on the limb of a tree, and is an important developmental stage that usually occurs when chicks hit 9 weeks old.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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However, despite popular anecdotal evidence that kratom can ease opioid addiction withdrawal symptoms, there is empirical evidence that kratom itself can become addictive.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
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Only 2 percent of investments have gone to circular businesses, according to estimates in the Circularity Gap Report Finance in 2025, the world’s first empirical study that quantified the financial streams to circular business models.—
Roy Stephen Canivel,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Her ability to ask the right questions and find answers puts her on equal ground with Reilly and his best friend Robbie Robertson, the investigative journalist played by Morris, leading her to a rightful promotion at the end of series.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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Most recently journalistically, McCormick had been working in broadcast as an investigative producer at Fox 4 and then KSHB 41 until 2024 before switching to freelance work.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Since the study is observational, whether the gut microbiome findings were causing bowel issues or whether abnormal bowel function changed the gut microbiome is unclear, Preidis said.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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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,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Even in the early 21st century, there was no objective way to benchmark how well players had performed.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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How The Ghost Lap Philosophy Drives Organizational Excellence In the racing world, the ghost lap is an objective, unambiguous training tool.—
Brendan Keegan,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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The sources described it as a preliminary operation laying the groundwork for additional steps by installing listening devices and intelligence equipment in the area.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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Officials explained on a call earlier Wednesday that the case was a ‘presumptive positive,’ which means preliminary tests were positive but that results needed to be confirmed, according to Reuters.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Kirby plays an astronaut forced to make an impossible decision after an incident with her co-pilot (Pullman) threatens to derail their entire mission in the final countdown to launch.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
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The story follows an astronaut (Kirby) who is forced to make an impossible decision after an incident with her co-pilot (Pullman) leaves an indelible stain on the mission in the days leading up to lift off, setting off a tense race against the clock.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Experimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/experimental. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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