EXPLORATORY Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

exploratory

adjective

Definition of exploratory

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 committee is not and cannot be a political committee unless the potential candidate has declared candidacy, at which point an exploratory committee can become a campaign committee. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2026 Diverse and exploratory behavior gradually gave way to persistent repetition. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026 The talks are exploratory, and no decisions have been made, one of the sources told Reuters. — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026 Outside of a couple of ensuing exploratory talks, Kaepernick never came close to a comeback. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploratory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory

Adjective

On Uncle, fish narc sheds his past experimental impulses and finds a new identity within ebullient, feel-good college rock.

— Jeff Yerger, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
Spanish scientists have developed an experimental type of self-disinfecting cotton fabric, which is activated via ordinary white light.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of experimental

Adjective

Terrorism sentences are tougher, and counter-terrorism forces have greater investigative powers.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Under California law, the governor may offer rewards of up to $50,000 in certain unsolved cases at the request of law enforcement agencies that have exhausted investigative leads.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of investigative

Adjective

Those concerns stretch across the realities of AI’s growth today and more speculative possibilities raised by some technologists and whistle-blowers.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of speculative

Adjective

Earlier this month, the CSU reached tentative agreements with three unions.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Written in Latin, the theses were relatively tentative in tone, consisting of 95 short propositions—most just a sentence or two.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of tentative

Adjective

There are also plans afoot by the French defense procurement agency (DGA) called SNA3G, which are preliminary plans for an eventual replacement of the Suffren-class in the future.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Martelly’s name was among 16 listed Friday on the Provisional Electoral Council’s website as having preliminary registered to run.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of preliminary

Adjective

Drawing on the theoretical work of economist Hyman Minsky, Kindleberger went through centuries of economic history and saw a recurring pattern.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026
There are scores of results across not just number theory but also geometry and theoretical computer science that the proofs of quasi-Riemann will, in a swift stroke, establish as mathematical truths.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of theoretical

Browse Nearby Words

explorations

exploratory

explore

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“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploratory. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploratory

adjective

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