as in empirical
based on observation or experience
her reports on the great apes were based on firsthand observational evidence
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Recent Examples of observational
But that’s made even worse by the fact that a significant portion of these observational studies did not even have a comparison group.
—
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
The sensitivity of the gravitational wave detectors has only increased in recent years, with detections currently occurring as frequently as three to four times each week during observational run phases between down periods that allow further advancement of sensitivity.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 June 2026
What the Current Research Shows The new observational study compared several GLP-1 drugs—including semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide—with topiramate, a common migraine prevention medication.
—Sukhman Rekhi, Verywell Health, 1 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, 30 May 2026
Cognitive stimulation, exercise, heart-healthy eating patterns, quality sleep, social connection, and stress management are all linked to better cognitive outcomes in observational studies and clinical trials.
—Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 29 May 2026
From the 1950s on, the space age allowed scientists to create instruments that could escape the observational barriers of Earth.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 May 2026
But opposing him is Stagg, a Scottish, stick-in-the-mud academic (which is saying a lot by most weather men’s personality standards), who insists on making the team’s joint recommendation exclusively using the current observational data available to Allied forces.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 May 2026
Before this study, there had been many observational reports of koalas dying during heatwaves, particularly during extreme summer temperatures in Australia, Valentina Mella, a senior lecturer in animal behavior and conservation at the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, told ABC News.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 May 2026
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
The sensitivity of the gravitational wave detectors has only increased in recent years, with detections currently occurring as frequently as three to four times each week during observational run phases between down periods that allow further advancement of sensitivity.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 June 2026
What the Current Research Shows The new observational study compared several GLP-1 drugs—including semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide—with topiramate, a common migraine prevention medication.
—Sukhman Rekhi, Verywell Health, 1 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, 30 May 2026
Cognitive stimulation, exercise, heart-healthy eating patterns, quality sleep, social connection, and stress management are all linked to better cognitive outcomes in observational studies and clinical trials.
—Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 29 May 2026
From the 1950s on, the space age allowed scientists to create instruments that could escape the observational barriers of Earth.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 May 2026
But opposing him is Stagg, a Scottish, stick-in-the-mud academic (which is saying a lot by most weather men’s personality standards), who insists on making the team’s joint recommendation exclusively using the current observational data available to Allied forces.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 May 2026
Before this study, there had been many observational reports of koalas dying during heatwaves, particularly during extreme summer temperatures in Australia, Valentina Mella, a senior lecturer in animal behavior and conservation at the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, told ABC News.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observational
Adjective
-
However, despite popular anecdotal evidence that kratom can ease opioid addiction withdrawal symptoms, there is empirical evidence that kratom itself can become addictive.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
Only 2 percent of investments have gone to circular businesses, according to estimates in the Circularity Gap Report Finance in 2025, the world’s first empirical study that quantified the financial streams to circular business models.—
Roy Stephen Canivel,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Since the electron’s motional states are quantized, the resonator adopts one or two states during the experimental procedure, which is the potential building block of a qubit.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2026
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This experimental collaboration between a Guatemalan cellist and an American guitarist was conceived when Fratti, the cellist, praised Orcutt’s work publicly, prompting the latter to get in touch — the two worked on the album mostly in remote sessions.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Even in the early 21st century, there was no objective way to benchmark how well players had performed.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
How The Ghost Lap Philosophy Drives Organizational Excellence In the racing world, the ghost lap is an objective, unambiguous training tool.—
Brendan Keegan,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observational. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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