exploratory

adjective

Definition of exploratorynext
as in experimental
done or created to find something or to learn more about something exploratory drilling for oil

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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 exploratory Among the potential contenders to take his place is Troy Jackson, the former Democratic president of the Maine state Senate (an exploratory committee filed official paperwork on his behalf). — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 8 July 2026 An exploratory committee has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on behalf of Jackson. — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 8 July 2026 Jackson filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday to launch a Senate exploratory committee. — ABC News, 8 July 2026 What began as something loose and exploratory, from a budding musician who’s been writing songs since early adolescence, suddenly carried weight. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory
  1. experimental
  2. investigative
  3. speculative
  4. tentative
  5. preliminary
  6. theoretical
Adjective
  • Across their four albums, the group has cultivated a rabid fan base dedicated to their brand of experimental rock.
    — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
  • The brand has released a number of limited and premium whiskeys over the years, including Bulleit 10 Year, barrel-strength expressions and experimental releases.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of experimental
Adjective
  • Laura Bauer, who came to The Kansas City Star in 2005, focuses on investigative and watchdog journalism.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • The scenes with Congressman Daniel Keene and disgraced investigative reporter Helen Drew are especially intense.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 July 2026
Definition of investigative
Adjective
  • Outcompeting China also requires publicly funding the basic scientific research that is too speculative to attract private capital.
    — Craig Garthwaite, Fortune, 24 July 2026
  • The speculative nattering kicked in at around the same time the last scrap of golden confetti had found a resting place on the turf at, um, New York New Jersey Stadium.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of speculative
Adjective
  • This is the franchise that dealt the Wave their worst loss of all, the 1-0 semifinals defeat in San Diego that denied Casey Stoney‘s club, which looked weirdly tentative for long stretches, a 2023 NWSL finals berth at Snapdragon Stadium.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026
  • Later, their tentative friendship turns into something more passionate — to the dismay of eavesdropping Asla, who realizes she is not the party Helge’s charm was aimed at.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026
Definition of tentative
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
  • But each alternative scenario encountered insurmountable theoretical limitations.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 July 2026
  • Each count of wire fraud also carries a theoretical maximum of 20 years in prison.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 July 2026
Definition of theoretical

Browse Nearby Words

explorations
exploratory
explore
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Cite this Entry

“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploratory. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of exploratory for Spanish Speakers

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