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epistemic

American  
[ep-uh-stee-mik, -stem-ik] / ˌɛp əˈsti mɪk, -ˈstɛm ɪk /

adjective

  1. of or relating to knowledge or the conditions for acquiring it.


epistemic British  
/ ˌɛpɪˈstiːmɪk /

adjective

  1. of or relating to knowledge or epistemology

  2. denoting the branch of modal logic that deals with the formalization of certain epistemological concepts, such as knowledge, certainty, and ignorance. See also doxastic

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of epistemic

1920–25; < Greek epistēmikós, equivalent to epistḗm ( ē ) knowledge + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This epistemic shift has birthed a lucrative wellness industry, featuring all manner of advice, concerns, and devices, where a frightening sales pitch or emotional story takes the place of scientific consensus.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

Free inquiry, logical consistency and the evaluation of claims against evidence are epistemic properties that emerge from the training process itself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Neutrality remains an indispensable guiding aspiration that counsels restraint and reminds administrators that their moral and epistemic authority is limited.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

Though the actions are similar, there are differences and the Johns Hopkins team surmised observers would be able to detect another person's "epistemic goals" just by watching them.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2023

Our impression is that conspiracy theories tend to shape people's beliefs through shorter epistemic arcs, always requiring some epistemic agency, but the challenges remain low-threshold so the insights are accessible to many.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2023

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