Synonyms

exploratory

American

[ik-splawr-uh-tawr-ee] / ɪkˈsplɔr əˌtɔr i /

Also explorative

adjective

pertaining to or concerned with exploration.

an exploratory operation.
inclined to make explorations.

Other Word Forms

exploratively adverb
nonexplorative adjective
nonexploratory adjective
unexplorative adjective
unexploratory adjective

Etymology

Origin of exploratory

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Latin word explōrātōrius. See exploration, -ory ¹

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.

“It’s an exploratory conversation,” said Charles Scarallo, a certified financial planner in Melville, N.Y.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

Antonio held exploratory talks with the Championship club over a pay-as-you-play deal, before choosing to move to Qatar instead.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

At higher temperatures, responses become more varied, less predictable, and more exploratory, allowing the system to move beyond familiar ideas.

From Science Daily • Jan. 25, 2026

Petrobas is conducting exploratory drilling to assess the feasibility of the field.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

I’d made the same kind of exploratory phone calls on his behalf, hoping for a more encouraging response, but didn’t get one.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023