UNEMPIRICAL Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

unempirical

adjective

Definition of unempirical

as in theoretical

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unempirical

Adjective

For now, the research work establishes a theoretical possibility under restrictive conditions, not evidence that any black hole has ever been divided into two.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Such scenarios may become more common as militaries continue to deploy a once-theoretical technology — AI-assisted or autonomous weapons, capable of making both targeting and launch decisions on their own — on real battlefields around the globe.

— Kylie Jones, Vox, 25 Oct. 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

Amazon has a hypothetical $50 billion chip business and can offer a roadmap to immense profitability.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2026
And there is still a hypothetical risk, election experts say, that the President could do something new and outlandishly lawless on or close to Election Day.

— Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of hypothetical

Adjective

Described as a speculative drama, the film moves between the traditional culture of the high Himalayas and a modern world shaped by technology.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
Unlike the speculative internet startups that collapsed during the dot-com bust in 2000, many of today's leading technology companies have established businesses and genuine demand for their products.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 26 Oct. 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unempirical

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

reticent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes