INVESTIGATIVE Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

investigative

adjective

Definition of investigative

as in exploratory

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Recent Examples of investigative In 2022, Greenpeace’s investigative journalism arm, Unearthed, found the charred remnants of footwear and clothing from Clarks, Diesel, Michael Kors, Next, Nike, Ralph Lauren and Reebok at five brick kiln clusters. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 17 July 2026 Vidic was recently approached by reporters from the respected Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a non-governmental organisation that centres on investigative journalism. — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 17 July 2026 In investigative reporting, there is no substitute for talking to people. — Mollie Simon, ProPublica, 16 July 2026 Detained at airport Chen was detained at the airport after visiting his parents in Beijing, according to Kieran Ramsey, chief investigative officer at Global Reach. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 His rare visit comes as an investigative judge continues to re-examine the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, who was killed on July 7, 2021. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 The Times received the top honors for investigative reporting, crime reporting and regional political reporting. — Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 China’s high-risk, high-reward business culture fuels the problem, along with the absence of checks and balances, including investigative media. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 14 July 2026 Family attorney Sean Daredia said the Erving family has retained an independent investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding Daniel's death. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigative

Adjective

Sharks do not typically view humans as prey, but, as wildlife biologist Forrest Galante explained to OutKick Outdoors, a curious or agitated shark can still do plenty of damage with an exploratory bite.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026
Second, transform exploratory interviews into pitch meetings.

— Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of exploratory

Adjective

For now, the technology remains firmly in the experimental stage.

— Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
Nonlocality, whose experimental verification helped earn the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics, allows distant quantum systems to produce correlations that cannot be explained by classical physics alone.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026

Definition of experimental

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

According to a preliminary investigation, the boy, from Apple Valley, was crossing the street with a friend on his bicycle when he was struck by a westbound vehicle.

— Hannah Brueske, Twin Cities, 15 July 2026
Martinez-Olguin is scheduled to hold a hearing on Thursday on the subscribers’ motion for a preliminary injunction and on Paramount’s motion to dismiss the subscribers’ suit.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 July 2026

Definition of preliminary

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“Investigative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigative. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of investigative

adjective

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