Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
empirical
adjective
/ em-PEER-i-kuhl /
Medium
Meaning
Based on observation, experiment, or direct evidence rather than theory or pure logic.
Origin / Etymology
From Greek empeirikos, experienced, from empeiria, experience, via Latin empiricus.
Synonyms
evidence-based
observed
experimental
factual
Antonyms
theoretical
speculative
conjectural
hypothetical
Example Sentence
"Sound policy demands empirical evaluation, yet many schemes are scaled up without rigorous impact assessment."
🎯 UPSC Usage
A workhorse term across GS2, GS3, and GS4 answers on evidence-based policy and scientific temper. Use it to argue for data-driven governance, for example, 'empirical evidence from pilot districts should precede a national rollout.'
Relevant Subjects
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