as in experimental
done or created to find something or to learn more about something
exploratory drilling for oil
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Recent Examples of exploratory
The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasized that these requirements are intended to prevent general exploratory searches, an emphasis that has shaped modern American law enforcement practices.
—
Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
Biomarkers must be categorized as exploratory hints rather than proof.
—Elise Felicione, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
Twenty-three others were in the exploratory phase at the time.
—Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
The sketch plan is exploratory, a Northwood Office spokesperson said, and declined to provide additional comment.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
Biomarkers must be categorized as exploratory hints rather than proof.
—Elise Felicione, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
Twenty-three others were in the exploratory phase at the time.
—Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
The sketch plan is exploratory, a Northwood Office spokesperson said, and declined to provide additional comment.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory
Adjective
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The broader research community does not recommend the test, calling it inaccurate and experimental, and pointing to evidence that spinal taps are more accurate.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
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If the rollout progresses as expected, the qualification of the Cornerstone Cell could mark an important step in bringing solid-state batteries from experimental development into practical commercial use across multiple industries.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Jonathan Dienst Jonathan Dienst is chief justice contributor for NBC News and chief investigative reporter for WNBC-TV in New York.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
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Kevin is an intrepid reporter and stylish writer who has used his investigative powers to break many major international stories.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The building features 28-foot clear heights, concrete tilt-panel construction, 4,032 square feet of speculative office space, trailer parking and is designed to accommodate a wide range of user needs.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
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If the surprisingly rough-and-tumble world of 16th-century playwrights doesn’t immediately compel you, know that this is the kind of book in which every page is filled with an unexpected twist or insight (however speculative or hard to prove these conclusions may turn out to be).—
Rhian Sasseen,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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San Diego Unified School District recently averted a one-day strike after reaching a tentative agreement with its teachers.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
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Stocks listed in Europe ended Thursday’s session broadly lower, as uncertainty around the conflict in the Middle East lingered and overwrote some tentative optimism that saw regional equities claw back some lost ground on Wednesday.—
Hugh Leask,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Three people were killed in as many crashes on Arkansas roads from Monday to Wednesday, according to preliminary police reports.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
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Fanning has a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 25.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Perhaps, now that my theoretical love life was upon all of us, my mother was having second thoughts about the value of my happiness.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
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However, a new theoretical study suggests that the road to this promise is much longer than many researchers had hoped.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploratory. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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