as in experimental
done or created to find something or to learn more about something
exploratory drilling for oil
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
This is an exploratory season at wide receiver for the Dolphins.
—
Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2026
To confirm that your potatoes are ready for harvest, do a little exploratory digging and check the skin.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 21 May 2026
In recent years, Amazon’s assumption of the Thursday Night Football package and exploratory nibbles from the likes of YouTube have poured billions of bonus bucks into the league’s coffers.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 May 2026
The Vikings brought free-agent receiver Jauan Jennings in for some exploratory sessions, and that signing remains a possibility.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2026
To confirm that your potatoes are ready for harvest, do a little exploratory digging and check the skin.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 21 May 2026
In recent years, Amazon’s assumption of the Thursday Night Football package and exploratory nibbles from the likes of YouTube have poured billions of bonus bucks into the league’s coffers.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 May 2026
The Vikings brought free-agent receiver Jauan Jennings in for some exploratory sessions, and that signing remains a possibility.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory
Adjective
-
Since the electron’s motional states are quantized, the resonator adopts one or two states during the experimental procedure, which is the potential building block of a qubit.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2026
-
This experimental collaboration between a Guatemalan cellist and an American guitarist was conceived when Fratti, the cellist, praised Orcutt’s work publicly, prompting the latter to get in touch — the two worked on the album mostly in remote sessions.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
For many, the sell-off reads as a warning sign for speculative excess in the face of trillions of dollars in upcoming IPO issuance and the potential for rising interest rates.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
6 June 2026
-
Men are more likely to consider speculative assets and are less afraid to lose money than their female counterparts.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
While Iran and the US have reached a tentative agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, months of work remain to hammer out details.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
But their tentative affair is secondary to the complex bond between Ali and Jersey, whose troubled connection with Davis helps Ali understand why her mother is so paranoid about her romantic choices.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Cherowbrier’s comparison between AI and the Internet regarding its impact on racing reflects how rapidly AI has moved from theoretical possibility to practical tool.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
The risk is not theoretical The dangers of hot, humid weather are not new to professional soccer players and tournament organizers, though the risks are getting more pronounced as the planet warms.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploratory. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
