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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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 Over the next two decades, Jemison, now 43, would see a range of doctors and undergo dozens of tests and exploratory procedures. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Sep. 2026 The raccoon used her paws to repeatedly dunk the receipt into a bowl of water (a common exploratory behavior). — Isabel Gil, Scientific American, 3 Sep. 2026 Under that setup, Ascheim became WarnerMedia’s senior rep in its relationship with Rowling and her representatives, and exploratory conversations for a Max series got underway. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 At this stage, the project remains exploratory, and the available information does not establish an economic deposit or future source of supply. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploratory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory

Adjective

The key test was performed independently on two nominally identical devices, one at EPFL and one at the Weizmann Institute, using separate experimental setups.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
New partnerships with Walmart , Best Buy , Gap and Shopify will expand what Muse can do autonomously, while new smart glasses, virtual-reality glasses and an experimental Muse Charm will give consumers more ways to interact with it.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of experimental

Adjective

Hanaway’s office issued civil investigative demands to ActBlue seeking documents and information related to its donation-processing and fraud-prevention practices.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2026
Separately, the lawyers are asking that the judge force prosecutors to turn over statements, investigative reports and other evidence involving Pierre and the others who are newly charged.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of investigative

Adjective

That ultimately became Exit Party, a speculative story about a dystopian not-so-distant future in which the government of the United States has collapsed and Los Angeles has become something of a refugee camp from the latent civil war.

— Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
With two more elections going against the CDU, and Merz’s popularity plunging, that assessment seems less speculative.

— Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of speculative

Adjective

Doumanian disputed the judge’s tentative finding that there was insufficient evidence Avila had suffered permanent nerve damage.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026
The city of Fort Worth and the union representing its firefighters have reached a tentative agreement on a contract after a months-long bargaining process.

— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of tentative

Adjective

Fabricating standardized modules The contract builds on a preliminary pact agreed between the two firms in August 2025.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
Some studies suggest fasting may also help prevent cancer or boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy, though much of that research is still preliminary.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of preliminary

Adjective

And if people don’t have the agency to use either effectively, much of the theoretical value stays theoretical.

— Prithvi Singh Shergill, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
In some versions of this test, the option to self-medicate came at a cost, either to the success of its task or as a theoretical attack on the user.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 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 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploratory

adjective

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