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 exploratory work will help gather information needed to finish the project’s design, plan for construction and obtain the permits needed.
—
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
They were guided not by a desire for the perfection of their prime, but instead by an exploratory curiosity.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
One of its latest exploratory ventures was the May launch of the Tianwen-2 spacecraft, on its way to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid and then visit a comet orbiting in the main belt of asteroids between Mars and Jupiter.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
From private flights to Texas wine country curated by The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, to multiday Lake House takeovers at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, the Ritz-Carlton is developing culturally immersive and exploratory programming.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
They were guided not by a desire for the perfection of their prime, but instead by an exploratory curiosity.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
One of its latest exploratory ventures was the May launch of the Tianwen-2 spacecraft, on its way to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid and then visit a comet orbiting in the main belt of asteroids between Mars and Jupiter.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
From private flights to Texas wine country curated by The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, to multiday Lake House takeovers at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, the Ritz-Carlton is developing culturally immersive and exploratory programming.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory
Adjective
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Industry analysts warn that social stigma remains high and inflation threatens to curb spending on experimental, nonessential goods.—
Luke Fountain,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
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In an interview with Interesting Engineering, UEL researcher Daehyun Kim explained that SCARABS focuses on exploration reliability rather than experimental payloads.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Police said in a news release that investigators were conducting follow-up interviews, collecting and analyzing evidence, and reviewing available video and other investigative leads in an effort to identify and locate all involved parties.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Forecasting revenues over a 99-year period stretches credibility, as economic models typically lose reliability within five years, making century-long projections speculative at best.—
Michelle Grau,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
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Government lawyers urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing no specific plaintiff has faced deportation or visa revocation and that any harm is speculative.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Attorneys for the families said a tentative settlement has been reached, pending school board approval.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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In the interim, a tentative March 3 trial date has been set for the remaining rape charge, even as Weinstein appears to be mulling a guilty plea.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Ultimately, the appeals court affirmed the district court’s grant of a preliminary injunction to Hecox, but vacated the injunction applied to the rest of the state.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
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He’s scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on Monday.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In solving an 80-year-old chemical mystery, the researchers have not only answered a long-standing theoretical question but also expanded the toolbox of modern chemistry.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
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Beat writer Lauren Williams walks us through a few theoretical trades here.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploratory. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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