unscientific

adjective

un·​sci·​en·​tif·​ic ˌən-ˌsī-ən-ˈti-fik How to pronounce unscientific (audio)
: not scientific : not based on or exhibiting scientific knowledge or scientific methodology : not in accord with the principles and methods of science
an unscientific survey
unscientific claims
an unscientific approach
unscientifically adverb

Example Sentences

I conducted an unscientific survey.
Recent Examples on the Web But the embarrassing failure of opinion-makers who decried the lab-leak theory as unscientific and racist looks even worse with each new development. The Editors, National Review, 27 Feb. 2023 To me, this attitude seemed unscientific and stupid. Joe Graedon, M.s., And Teresa Graedon, Ph.d., oregonlive, 21 Feb. 2023 The only one that, in an unscientific and arbitrary poll on social media, connected well with audiences came relatively early in the broadcast. Gene Seymour, CNN, 13 Feb. 2023 Lucio's lawyers have argued that her conviction relied on a coerced confession, and that unscientific and false evidence misled jurors into believing Lucio's daughter's injuries could have only been caused by physical abuse, AP writes. Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 25 Apr. 2022 Upon closer inspection, however, the variables involved are subjective and plainly unscientific. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 16 Jan. 2023 As old as medicine itself, misinformation and unscientific treatments have been supercharged by the immediacy of the internet, and the toll has been significant. Fiona Rutherford, Bloomberg.com, 12 Feb. 2023 Musk has previously been criticized for relying on unscientific polls—which can easily be brigaded or manipulated by bots or fake accounts—to make important policy decisions at Twitter. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2022 More Tesla recalls announced:Tesla issues back-to-back recalls, one impacting 322,000 cars with crash risk increase While Musk conducted an unscientific Twitter poll ahead of reinstating Trump, there appeared to be no such poll for Greene's account. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 23 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unscientific.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unscientific was circa 1775

Dictionary Entries Near unscientific

Cite this Entry

“Unscientific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unscientific. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

unscientific

adjective
un·​sci·​en·​tif·​ic ˌən-ˌsī-ən-ˈtif-ik How to pronounce unscientific (audio)
: not scientific: as
a
: not being in agreement with the principles and methods of science
an unscientific poll
b
: not showing scientific knowledge or familiarity with scientific methods
an unscientific explanation
unscientifically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unscientific

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Which Came First?

  • baby chick with a brown egg
  • hot take or cold shoulder?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY