anecdotal

adjective

an·​ec·​dot·​al ˌa-nik-ˈdō-tᵊl How to pronounce anecdotal (audio)
1
: based on or consisting of reports or observations of usually unscientific observers
anecdotal evidence
health benefits that may be more anecdotal than factual
2
a
: of, relating to, or consisting of anecdotes
an anecdotal biography
b
: given to or skilled in telling anecdotes : anecdotic sense 2
my anecdotal uncle
3
: of, relating to, or being the depiction of a scene suggesting a story
anecdotal details
anecdotally adverb

Examples of anecdotal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Last year’s games in Las Vegas seemed a bit more intense than an average game, but that’s only anecdotal. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024 The Federal Reserve also issues its Beige Book, an anecdotal readout of the economy. Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2024 This would have provided continuous, unbiased data without relying on a single anecdotal example. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 Retailers noted the slowdown throughout 2023, with anecdotal reports indicating slippage from the previous highs experienced during the pandemic, when fewer entertainment activities were competing for consumers’ discretionary dollars. Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anecdotal 

Word History

Etymology

see anecdote

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of anecdotal was in 1715

Dictionary Entries Near anecdotal

Cite this Entry

“Anecdotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anecdotal. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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