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 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 The participating organizations have agreed to an initial 12-month exploratory phase to determine which technologies, training programs, and career pathways should be developed. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026 The next phase is fieldwork and feedback The subsurface dam project is still in the exploratory phase, and Savage emphasized that a lot of research and outreach would happen before any concrete plans could be made. — Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploratory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory

Adjective

At the forefront are Moderna and Merck, whose treatment combines a powerful immunotherapy drug with an experimental made-to-order mRNA cancer vaccine.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Laser weapons are moving beyond experimental laboratories and becoming practical tools for destroying drones, rockets, missiles, and other airborne threats.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of experimental

Adjective

Boston said the charges followed years of investigative work from the DeKalb Cold Case Task Force, using advanced technology in DNA and genealogy mapping in cold cases.

— Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Regan was allegedly upset with David Green, president of SEIU Local 721 who had just left for the airport, and began randomly screaming at Li, according to the investigative report on the probe commissioned by the state council.

— Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of investigative

Adjective

Based on statements from various companies, foreign countries and the White House’s own website, that figure appears to be highly speculative and far higher than the actual sum.

— Melissa Goldin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Binge is author of speculative thrillers that often blends big sci-fi concepts with psychological horror.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of speculative

Adjective

The adoption of this policy came very late in the summer and after a more tentative earlier policy that mainly confused educators and parents.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
But Democrats have become more tentative to speak on immigration since the Obama years.

— Jesús Rodríguez, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of tentative

Adjective

Scrutiny of the project would later intensify after preliminary designs were released late last year.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
But Huby’s bigger passion has always been human spaceflight, and her company has begun preliminary work on a crew spacecraft that could serve either the International Space Station or private space stations under development by US companies.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of preliminary

Adjective

That could give the weapon a theoretical range of about 280 miles.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
In short, the theoretical possibility of trans women playing in the WNBA, while of substantial curiosity to some, doesn’t present an actual controversy at this time.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 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 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploratory

adjective

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