NONEMPIRICAL Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

nonempirical

adjective

Definition of nonempirical

as in theoretical

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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 nonempirical The enforcement of such nonempirical standards as taste and judgment implies a kind of cultural and aesthetic hierarchy that Silicon Valley’s ruling class embraces ruthlessly but will never admit to countenancing. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 20 Oct. 2019 Each story represents a fresh challenge of how to say things in a nonempirical way. — Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 24 June 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonempirical

Adjective

David Sloan is a theoretical physicist at Lancaster University and the Chief Scientific Officer of the Foundational Questions Institute.

— Big Think, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2026
Far from being a theoretical threat, at least one active attack is already exploiting the mixup.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of theoretical

Adjective

However, what makes Sichuan different is its alleged use of an electromagnetic aircraft-launch system.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
The teen, a standout player on his high school football team, remains behind bars over the alleged incident.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleged

Adjective

Then, in a famous 1937 paper, the mathematician Alan Turing devised a model based on hypothetical machines that could read and write symbols printed on an infinite tape according to a set of simple rules.

— Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Shirley said the bill set a bad precedent, giving a hypothetical scenario of someone hiring a third party to commit violence in order to pin the blame on him.

— Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hypothetical

Adjective

The consortium will also establish a development roadmap covering the steps required to move from the present conceptual phase toward possible construction and deployment.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
For many of its leading figures, from the Impressionists in the 1870s to conceptual artists a century later, this also meant proposing new and better solutions to the problem of how to be and how to live together.

— Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of conceptual

Adjective

Unitree’s recent slump has raised concerns about how Beijing may boost emerging strategic sectors without stoking a speculative frenzy.

— Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The premise places the film inside a debate that has moved rapidly from speculative fiction into everyday working life, but Lien’s approach leans away from techno-thriller territory.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of speculative

Adjective

Still, the durability and quality of the earnings recovery remain unproven, particularly in apparel and home and after removing a large, one-time tariff refund.

— Tejal Patel, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Dark matter, meanwhile, is thought to be the glue that holds galaxies and other massive structures in the universe together, but again, its nature is an enigma and its existence remains unproven.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of unproven

Adjective

But Starship still must demonstrate multiple unproved capabilities that are crucial to NASA’s plans—such as the in-space refueling, via multiple launches, that’s required for sending the vehicle out of low-Earth orbit to the moon.

— Lee Billings, Scientific American, 29 May 2026
When gambling becomes the norm, taking risks in unproved investment channels start to look reasonable.

— Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 May 2026

Definition of unproved

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“Nonempirical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonempirical. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of nonempirical

adjective

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