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
  • In a hypothetical head-to-head matchup as seen in a survey from the University of North Florida, Donalds is leading Jolly by 5 points.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Senhu Wang and Heejung Chung found that managers rate remote workers worse on commitment, productivity, team spirit and promotion opportunities, even when the hypothetical employees worked remotely only two to three days per week.
    — Gleb Tsipursky, Washington Post, 14 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.

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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 22 Aug. 2026.

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