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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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 That November, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources approved an exploratory drilling plan from the company on property next to it. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for exploratory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory

Adjective

In experimental tests described by the company, the approach completed one task in just under 16 minutes, compared with more than 29 minutes using a conventional approach.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
The album’s experimental bent is also what keeps the music from slipping into parody or, even worse, po-faced sincerity.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of experimental

Adjective

Such killings often silence voices that threaten or interfere with cartel profits, said Miguel Meza, a researcher at the investigative organization Narcopoliticos.

— Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
The newspaper, once edited by the Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, has long been seen as a beacon of Russian investigative reporting.

— Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of investigative

Adjective

Described as a speculative drama, the film moves between the traditional culture of the high Himalayas and a modern world shaped by technology.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
Unlike the speculative internet startups that collapsed during the dot-com bust in 2000, many of today's leading technology companies have established businesses and genuine demand for their products.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of speculative

Adjective

That’s all to say that DoorDash’s current experience with agentic ordering may be a bit like Pizza Hut’s first tentative online ordering experiments in 1994.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 30 Oct. 2026
The independent project has yet to secure production financing and is seeking backers and co-producers in Sharjah and elsewhere in the region, with a tentative 2027 shoot dependent on funding.

— Essie Assibu, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of tentative

Adjective

The release of preliminary financial results was likely tied to Kimberly-Clark's efforts to close its blockbuster acquisition of Tylenol maker Kenvue , which is supposed to close by year-end.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
What’s Driving The Increase According to KFF’s analysis of preliminary rate filings, insurers are requesting a median 14% premium increase in the small group market.

— Glynn Frechette, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of preliminary

Adjective

For now, the research work establishes a theoretical possibility under restrictive conditions, not evidence that any black hole has ever been divided into two.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Such scenarios may become more common as militaries continue to deploy a once-theoretical technology — AI-assisted or autonomous weapons, capable of making both targeting and launch decisions on their own — on real battlefields around the globe.

— Kylie Jones, Vox, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of theoretical

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explorations

exploratory

explore

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“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploratory. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploratory

adjective

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