exploratory

adjective

Definition of exploratorynext
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 And that kind of thing is more exploratory — talking to people, that sort of stuff. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory
  1. experimental
  2. investigative
  3. speculative
  4. tentative
  5. preliminary
  6. theoretical
Adjective
  • The people-watching can be just as good as the art, as creative types from around the city come here to find inspiration—especially during the summer months, when the museum throws its popular experimental music parties called Warm Up.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Elsewhere, Arca took festival glam into more experimental territory with graphic liner and a delicate flush of pink, while Elisha Herbert embraced a smoky, high-shine look for Mugler.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of experimental
Adjective
  • Some Democrats are loath to support a measure drafted by a Republican and before any kind of investigative process has been completed.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The department said the trafficking unit draws on local, state and federal partnerships, and investigative resources through the Colorado Cyber Guardian Task Force.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of investigative
Adjective
  • Under the concept True Dystopic, the #LINK Vertical program brings together auteur documentary and genre cinema, using real locations in Rio de Janeiro as settings for imagining speculative futures.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The governor, who is up for reelection in November, said speculative proposals to build data centers had swamped Pennsylvania.
    — Salena Zito, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of speculative
Adjective
  • The investigations into both incidents remain underway, but politicians have drawn tentative links to Tehran.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The story is set in motion when Marie-Lou meets Mari, a Japanese theater director played by Tao Okamoto, and a tentative friendship forms.
    — Elissa Suh, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of tentative
Adjective
  • However, preliminary readings from the National Weather Service recorded no rain in Santa Clarita.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Across the country, the preliminary assessment identified damage to seven hotels, 13 churches, 26 government buildings and four residential apartment buildings, in addition to the homes, schools and healthcare facilities already counted.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of preliminary
Adjective
  • The dizzying evolution of AI picks up speed when Ilya gets Sam worked up about next-level AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence, theoretical technology with human-level cognitive capabilities.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Each resolves or makes substantial progress on a major open question in mathematics or theoretical computer science, the company says.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of theoretical

Browse Nearby Words

explorations
exploratory
explore
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Cite this Entry

“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploratory. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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