as in experimental
done or created to find something or to learn more about something
exploratory drilling for oil
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exploratory
The distinction matters, because basic research, which is purely exploratory research, has enormous downstream benefits.
—
Chris Impey, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2025
To prove his own glow-up, the rapper and singer pushes his bedroom beats into a bigger, more exploratory sound across the entire record, as influenced by role models Pharrell Williams and Tyler, the Creator.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2025
Metroid, which was released in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System and the company’s Famicom console, was not the first game to embrace this exploratory style of 2-D action-platforming.
—Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
In the basement of that commercial building on Gracechurch Street, surrounded by high-rise towers filled with financial and insurance firms, archaeologists began excavating large, exploratory pits two years ago until stone walls several feet thick and dozens of feet long were exposed.
—Willem Marx, NPR, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Chris Impey, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2025
To prove his own glow-up, the rapper and singer pushes his bedroom beats into a bigger, more exploratory sound across the entire record, as influenced by role models Pharrell Williams and Tyler, the Creator.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2025
Metroid, which was released in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System and the company’s Famicom console, was not the first game to embrace this exploratory style of 2-D action-platforming.
—Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
In the basement of that commercial building on Gracechurch Street, surrounded by high-rise towers filled with financial and insurance firms, archaeologists began excavating large, exploratory pits two years ago until stone walls several feet thick and dozens of feet long were exposed.
—Willem Marx, NPR, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exploratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploratory
Adjective
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In 2025, Millie Bobby Brown steps up to the mantle to defy internet bullies and keep serving her maximalist, experimental style—in a look indebted to Twain.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2025
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During Dex’s experimental surgery at the end, the camera lingered on a bullseye symbol reflected in his eye, a sign of his transformation into the famous comics version of the character.—
Ben Rosenstock,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Proxima Kosmos launched Saturday featuring a sweeping interactive digital platform, films and a limited-run zine that expands the speculative universe through essays, art and storytelling.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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Some commentators don’t like the idea of potentially using taxpayer funds to backstop the price of crypto, a speculative digital asset with limited (some would say nonexistent) underlying value.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Scout has gained tentative approval in his first week on the job in his sophomore nesting season.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2025
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Levine and the developer, Bruce Teitelbaum, have struck a tentative deal as part of the rezoning process that could help the project get over the finish line nearly three years after an initial attempt to secure approval spectacularly imploded, causing a political firestorm.—
Téa Kvetenadze,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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At the beginning of 2024, however, the implementation of SB 323 and SB 528 was held up when a judge in Bozeman, where the median home price now exceeds $800,000, issued a preliminary injunction.—
Patrick Gleason,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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The law was supposed to go into effect Jan. 1, but the state’s lawyers in November agreed not to enforce it until Walker rules on the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction.—
Dara Kam,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Innovation should be practical and actionable, not just theoretical.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Here's How To Remove Toxic 'Forever Chemicals' The Next Steps for Finding Answers Scientists have identified several theoretical ways that microplastics could contribute to cancer.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exploratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploratory. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.
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