as in empirical
based on observation or experience
her reports on the great apes were based on firsthand observational evidence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 observational
He is primarily focused on documentary cinema and observational filmmaking.
—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
19 June 2026
The observational research looked at people taking GLP-1 medications and found the drugs lowered levels of behaviors linked to violence.
—
Stephanie Stahl,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
While the mission was designed with dark energy, dark matter, and exoplanets in mind, Roman’s unprecedented observational capability will offer practically limitless opportunities for astronomers to explore all kinds of cosmic topics.
—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
The observational study included 2,044 participants living in Hirosaki City, Japan, who were originally included in a study exploring dementia and heart disease risk.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Perrotta’s novels have been lavishly praised for their uncanny ability to articulate dark, often uncomfortable emotional truths of American culture, using humor and sharp observational skills to explore profound shifts in how people communicate and coexist.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
Europe has wired this kind of observational data into the price of doing business.
—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Much of your writing is observational.
—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
The problem is, however, that astronomers have been unable to gather observational evidence that little red dots are indeed black hole stars.
—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
10 June 2026
Ed Meza,
Variety,
19 June 2026
The observational research looked at people taking GLP-1 medications and found the drugs lowered levels of behaviors linked to violence.
—
Stephanie Stahl,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
While the mission was designed with dark energy, dark matter, and exoplanets in mind, Roman’s unprecedented observational capability will offer practically limitless opportunities for astronomers to explore all kinds of cosmic topics.
—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
The observational study included 2,044 participants living in Hirosaki City, Japan, who were originally included in a study exploring dementia and heart disease risk.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Perrotta’s novels have been lavishly praised for their uncanny ability to articulate dark, often uncomfortable emotional truths of American culture, using humor and sharp observational skills to explore profound shifts in how people communicate and coexist.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
Europe has wired this kind of observational data into the price of doing business.
—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Much of your writing is observational.
—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
The problem is, however, that astronomers have been unable to gather observational evidence that little red dots are indeed black hole stars.
—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observational
Adjective
-
While empirical evidence shows that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer and more intense, the changes experienced by people around the world -- including how the heat impacts them both during the day and at night -- has not yet been well-studied, the researchers said.
-
This approach has genuine empirical support.
Adjective
-
Martha Skye Murphy, the British experimental singer-songwriter, and her longtime collaborator Roy Montgomery, the New Zealand guitar composer, will release their debut joint album via AD 93 on August 7.
-
So the answer scientists came up with was to build some of the biggest, deepest, and most exotic experimental traps in scientific history … and then wait.
Adjective
-
The assessment covered 36 objective criteria — ingredient quality, sugar type, caffeine content, vitamin levels, preservation methods, label honesty, and more.
-
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a sensor system designed to provide a more objective assessment.
Cite this Entry
“Observational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observational. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
