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
  • There is a theoretical possibility that a team taking too long over five simultaneous substitutions could be forced to play with six for a while, which could be fun.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Errors reach combat The risks are no longer purely theoretical.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 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
  • Then both writers picked the hypothetical game’s winner, all in a quest to determine who really is the best.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The study estimated both the investment returns and taxes imposed on a hypothetical investor who held a market portfolio from 1926 to 2025.
    — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of hypothetical
Adjective
  • Lately, that kind of existential threat — where once-vanquished viruses make a devastating comeback — is no longer speculative, nor hard to imagine.
    — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Overall, speculative positions against the yen, however, have declined.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 21 Aug. 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 25 Aug. 2026.

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