INVESTIGATIVE Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

investigative

adjective

Definition of investigative

as in exploratory

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Recent Examples of investigative Santiago, Clark said, is the first person to be convicted by a jury in New York State because of the use of investigative genetic genealogy. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration and Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming have been locked in a months-long dispute over the watchdog’s access to city records and the scope of her investigative authority. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2026 Military aircraft accidents fall under military investigative procedures. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026 Hunting Gary Glitter follows the investigative reporters and police investigators who were instrumental in publicizing Glitter’s crimes — including how the rocker used his popularity and fanbase to pursue and abuse multiple girls. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026 Before becoming a reporter, Benitez was an investigative producer at WFOR-TV and worked on stories on Medicare fraud, public safety and government corruption. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 Specifically, Britt contends that Moscowitz and his investigative team allegedly learned that Abdus-Sabur’s brother, Isa Abdus-Sabur, had confessed to being the shooter during multiple videos. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026 Other cuts included the only two investigative reporters at the Charlotte Observer, and a team of government accountability reporters at the Kansas City Star. — Jocelyn Noveck, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Melton's mother, Eleshiea Goode, demanded change during an April investigative hearing before the city council. — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigative

Adjective

Outside of a couple of ensuing exploratory talks, Kaepernick never came close to a comeback.

— Mike Jones, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
And that kind of thing is more exploratory — talking to people, that sort of stuff.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of exploratory

Adjective

Breaking the sound barrier is only the beginning Making a passenger aircraft fly at Mach 2 is considerably more complicated than demonstrating supersonic flight with a fighter or small experimental aircraft.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026
Transparent footwear is an experimental style that came about in the 50s and 60s.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of experimental

Adjective

Now, through their developmental improvements, their aggressive approach to minor-league free agency, their process in the draft and a trade deadline that netted bulk talent across several deals, the Nationals believe that gap has narrowed.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Four additional projects will receive developmental grants from Tribeca Studios.

— Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of developmental

Adjective

Legal professionals must carefully weigh the probative value against potential juror backlash, educate the jury on the evidence's legitimacy, and consider whether to integrate AI chats cautiously or even forgo them entirely.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Our system already demands that evidence be relevant and probative.

— Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026

Definition of probative

Adjective

The Virginia Tech swimmer finished 17th in the preliminary round of the 500-yard freestyle, one place outside the 16-swimmer finals field.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
The project has not yet received final approval from the National Capital Area Planning Commission, which greenlighted the site and preliminary plans at its July meeting.

— Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of preliminary

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“Investigative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigative. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of investigative

adjective

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