empirically

[ em-pir-ik-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that is based on or guided by experience or experiment:

   We hope that this study will form the basis for future empirically grounded research and policy analysis.

2. in a way that is provable or verifiable by experience or experiment:

   Can it be stated empirically that the Latino vote was the single biggest factor contributing to the candidate's victory?

Other Words From

• an·ti·em·pir·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·em·pir·i·cal·ly adverb
• o·ver·em·pir·i·cal·ly adverb
• sem·i·em·pir·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·em·pir·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of empirically¹

empirical ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

These narratives also aren’t usually formulated by more data- and empirically-driven reporters, who know to wait until more votes are counted.

From FiveThirtyEight

We want to push that envelope and show a smoking gun for that kind of an effect, creating something that can be tested and proven empirically in the laboratory.

From Nautilus

On the scale of civilization, it is difficult to test empirically the assertions of those who say we are living in a short-termist age.

From MIT Technology Review

I try to think empirically about America, her culture, people and oh-so-screwy politics.

From FiveThirtyEight

I think we’re just taking some small steps theoretically and empirically.

From Freakonomics

The decline of mainline Protestantism has also undermined this sort of prudent, empirically-minded Republicanism.

From The Daily Beast

The claim that consumers and business investors are paralyzed by the state of public finances has never been empirically proved.

From The Daily Beast

The old Italian masters were right in that they relied, even though empirically, on the imitative faculty.

From Project Gutenberg

From the old masters we have received a complete record of all that need be known empirically about the voice.

From Project Gutenberg

Here again is seen the difference between correct and incorrect singing, empirically considered.

From Project Gutenberg

Empirically considered, there is a striking difference between the correct vocal action and any other manner of tone-production.

From Project Gutenberg

A fine description of perfect singing, considered empirically, was found to be embodied in the traditional precepts.

From Project Gutenberg