anecdotal
adjective
an·ec·dot·al
ˌa-nik-ˈdō-tᵊl 
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
Examples of anecdotal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many of these methods have limited research behind them, and much of the information available is anecdotal (word of mouth).
—
Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 15 May 2025
But, according to anecdotal reports on travel forums, many travelers aren’t waiting for results and are booking flights to and from other New York area airfields: namely, LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 8 May 2025
The first-quarter figures showed an increase in inventories, but not a surge on a par with the growth in imports, despite anecdotal reports that companies were stockpiling products and materials ahead of tariffs.
—Ben Casselman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
In fact, most of the health claims are anecdotal and the scientific research that does exist is pretty mixed.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2025
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Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 15 May 2025
But, according to anecdotal reports on travel forums, many travelers aren’t waiting for results and are booking flights to and from other New York area airfields: namely, LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 8 May 2025
The first-quarter figures showed an increase in inventories, but not a surge on a par with the growth in imports, despite anecdotal reports that companies were stockpiling products and materials ahead of tariffs.
—Ben Casselman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
In fact, most of the health claims are anecdotal and the scientific research that does exist is pretty mixed.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anecdotal
Cite this Entry
“Anecdotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anecdotal. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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