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 Among the potential contenders to take his place is Troy Jackson, the former Democratic president of the Maine state Senate (an exploratory committee filed official paperwork on his behalf). — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 8 July 2026 An exploratory committee has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on behalf of Jackson. — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 8 July 2026 Jackson filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday to launch a Senate exploratory committee. — ABC News, 8 July 2026 What began as something loose and exploratory, from a budding musician who’s been writing songs since early adolescence, suddenly carried weight. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 6 July 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
  • Bardstown Bourbon Company, which is well known for indulging its experimental impulses, decided to blend together bourbon and rye and finish it in pineapple rum barrels with pieces of pineapple added to the whiskey for good measure.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The panel, several of whom are sellers of experimental peptides, dismissed the views of the agency’s staff, voting in favor of allowing compounding production of comparatively unregulated peptide treatments.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of experimental
Adjective
  • There is now a permanent investigative squad on the case, along with a new special agent in charge.
    — Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Released after Kohberger pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2025, the series incorporates newly public investigative records, police interviews, courtroom testimony, and evidence that wasn’t available when previous projects were made.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Definition of investigative
Adjective
  • This technique, known as speculative execution, helps computers run more efficiently.
    — Chetan Jaiswal, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
  • Defensive standout Micah Parsons (+1600) seeks to refocus post-injury, while Aaron Donald (+850) is a speculative entry, with rumors of a potential return from retirement.
    — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of speculative
Adjective
  • The sound of Israeli drones is a constant backdrop in a city devastated by war, but which still shows tentative signs of residents trying to rebuild their lives here.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Roy declined to disclose if a tentative agreement was reached on the technology proposal because labor negotiations are in progress.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of tentative
Adjective
  • Last month, oil prices briefly fell to their lowest level since before the war on news that a preliminary peace agreement had been reached.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • The trouble began over the weekend, NASA said, well after LINK had hit several preliminary milestones, such as deploying its solar-power arrays and test firing its xenon-gas thrusters, during its commissioning phase.
    — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
Definition of preliminary
Adjective
  • But each alternative scenario encountered insurmountable theoretical limitations.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 July 2026
  • Each count of wire fraud also carries a theoretical maximum of 20 years in prison.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 July 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of exploratory for Spanish Speakers

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