unempirical

adjective

Definition of unempiricalnext
as in theoretical

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unempirical
  1. theoretical
  2. nonempirical
  3. hypothetical
  4. speculative
Adjective
  • The measurements showed relatively strong emission from the single crystal, consistent with theoretical predictions.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Planning for a theoretical catastrophe can lead clients in unexpected directions.
    — Megan Buerger, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • 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
Definition of nonempirical
Adjective
  • This specific scenario is still hypothetical, but in general, mapmakers using their powers to litigate factional and personal grievances isn’t hard to imagine.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Lawyers had to mark up a hypothetical patent that, according to the blog post, contained many substantive and stylistic errors.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of hypothetical
Adjective
  • The author’s latest speculative dystopian fiction features parallel universes that explore alternate realities — and doppelgangers that stumble between the two.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The building, the paper said, reflected how big the speculative side of the oil trade had become.
    — Brian C. Black, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of speculative
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.

Browse Nearby Words

unemphatic
unempirical
unemployable
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Cite this Entry

“Unempirical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unempirical. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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