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
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Recent Examples of exploratory
The distinction matters, because basic research, which is purely exploratory research, has enormous downstream benefits.
—
Chris Impey, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2025
To prove his own glow-up, the rapper and singer pushes his bedroom beats into a bigger, more exploratory sound across the entire record, as influenced by role models Pharrell Williams and Tyler, the Creator.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2025
Metroid, which was released in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System and the company’s Famicom console, was not the first game to embrace this exploratory style of 2-D action-platforming.
—Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
In the basement of that commercial building on Gracechurch Street, surrounded by high-rise towers filled with financial and insurance firms, archaeologists began excavating large, exploratory pits two years ago until stone walls several feet thick and dozens of feet long were exposed.
—Willem Marx, NPR, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Chris Impey, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2025
To prove his own glow-up, the rapper and singer pushes his bedroom beats into a bigger, more exploratory sound across the entire record, as influenced by role models Pharrell Williams and Tyler, the Creator.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2025
Metroid, which was released in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System and the company’s Famicom console, was not the first game to embrace this exploratory style of 2-D action-platforming.
—Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
In the basement of that commercial building on Gracechurch Street, surrounded by high-rise towers filled with financial and insurance firms, archaeologists began excavating large, exploratory pits two years ago until stone walls several feet thick and dozens of feet long were exposed.
—Willem Marx, NPR, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory
Adjective
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During Dex’s experimental surgery at the end, the camera lingered on a bullseye symbol reflected in his eye, a sign of his transformation into the famous comics version of the character.—
Ben Rosenstock,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
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In simple terms, today’s technologies are largely experimental, proof-of-concept or prototypes.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Proxima Kosmos launched Saturday featuring a sweeping interactive digital platform, films and a limited-run zine that expands the speculative universe through essays, art and storytelling.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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Some commentators don’t like the idea of potentially using taxpayer funds to backstop the price of crypto, a speculative digital asset with limited (some would say nonexistent) underlying value.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The tentative agreement – pending approval via ratification by the workers – covers nearly 100 production workers employed by the company.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2025
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The ebb and flow of demand is being felt across the sector with inflation lingering and consumer confidence on a tentative upswing.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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More than two mayoral candidates would trigger a preliminary election, on Sept. 9, to whittle down the field to two finalists for the Nov. 4 general election.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
13 Mar. 2025
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The thing is, two federal judges have issued preliminary injunctions blocking the spending freeze, in response to lawsuits claiming the president has no authority to block money approved by Congress.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Innovation should be practical and actionable, not just theoretical.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Here's How To Remove Toxic 'Forever Chemicals' The Next Steps for Finding Answers Scientists have identified several theoretical ways that microplastics could contribute to cancer.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploratory. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
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