investigative

adjective

Definition of investigativenext
as in exploratory

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of investigative Terrorism sentences are tougher, and counter-terrorism forces have greater investigative powers. — CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 Under California law, the governor may offer rewards of up to $50,000 in certain unsolved cases at the request of law enforcement agencies that have exhausted investigative leads. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The Justice Department historically looks to avoid public and overt investigative acts in the direct lead-up to an election that involve candidates or that risk influencing an outcome. — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Two men were taken into custody and placed on a 24-hour investigative hold for further questioning, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez, a police spokesperson. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 With this case, the role of the whistleblower became a staple of investigative journalism. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Oct. 2026 The Justice Department has historically avoided overt investigative actions involving candidates in the immediate run-up to an election. — Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 His brashness is his principal liability as an investigative journalist and his best asset, though of course that’s not how Lee would put it. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 Michael Vasquez is an investigative reporter at The Florida Trib. — Michael Vasquez, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigative
  1. exploratory
  2. experimental
  3. developmental
  4. probative
  5. preliminary
Adjective
  • State wildlife officials say some white shark encounters may involve exploratory bites as the animals investigate unfamiliar objects in the water, including kayaks.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • No efforts have ever progressed beyond the exploratory stage.
    — Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of exploratory
Adjective
  • Unlike pure experimental rigs, Mark-1 is designed as a commercially representative plant.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Kerry Washington and Gemma Chan made the case for understated elegance, while Lauryn Hill and True Whitaker embraced a more experimental streak.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of experimental
Adjective
  • The death of Romero sparked tributes from the hockey world, including from the ECHL – a developmental hockey league that serves as part of the NHL’s minor league system.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Rain can cause contaminants to leach into groundwater, and studies have linked exposure to cancer, kidney damage, and developmental problems in children.
    — Yona Gavino, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of developmental
Adjective
  • Legal professionals must carefully weigh the probative value against potential juror backlash, educate the jury on the evidence's legitimacy, and consider whether to integrate AI chats cautiously or even forgo them entirely.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Our system already demands that evidence be relevant and probative.
    — Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of probative
Adjective
  • Attendees asked engineers to provide preliminary cost estimates for street lighting running from the stadium connection north to Swepco Road.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In a statement, police said the preliminary investigation indicates that a fight broke out prior to the shooting.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of preliminary

Browse Nearby Words

investigations
investigative
investigator
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Cite this Entry

“Investigative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigative. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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