nonempirical

adjective

Definition of nonempiricalnext
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
  1. theoretical
  2. alleged
  3. hypothetical
  4. conceptual
  5. speculative
  6. unproven
  7. unproved
  8. presumed
Adjective
  • When people see that scams can be built around them specifically, security habits stop feeling theoretical and start feeling necessary.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • After machine learning identified promising candidates, researchers verified them through theoretical calculations before synthesizing and experimentally confirming the materials.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • The shooting may have been worse if not for the actions of a Muslim immigrant from Syria who wrestled a gun from one of the alleged attackers.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • To scroll the internet during the Swift-Kelce nuptials was to see a barrage of people lamenting the city’s electricity bill, misspent taxpayer dollars, and the alleged tackiness of a private, sure, but very much not secret affair.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 July 2026
Definition of alleged
Adjective
  • The potential for prefab to capture a large share of the fire recovery and speed its progress is still only hypothetical.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • More than 30 years ago, researchers discovered that hypothetical computers based on the laws of quantum physics would be able to rapidly solve difficult math problems.
    — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 6 July 2026
Definition of hypothetical
Adjective
  • This operational scope ranges from preliminary feasibility assessments and conceptual designs to final field deployment and long-term facility management.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
  • His work, which blends documentary photography with conceptual practice, has earned honors including the Hasselblad Award and the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of conceptual
Adjective
  • Whether such an android would have a soul or be self-aware, Lee said that's more speculative.
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 3 July 2026
  • Their investment materials include the typical warnings, that positions can be illiquid, speculative and difficult to value.
    — Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Definition of speculative
Adjective
  • This is a first-generation product in an unproven market for Apple, with foldable tech that is prone to go very wrong.
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • The Dolphins’ roster has so many unproven young professionals that there might not be much difference in quality between the 30th player and the 53rd on Miami’s 53-man roster.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 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
Adjective
  • The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
Definition of presumed

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nonempirical
nonemployment
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Cite this Entry

“Nonempirical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonempirical. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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