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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dreher emerged from the conservative blogosphere in the 2000s and won fans with his daily stream of testy opinions and unguarded anecdotal writing. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026 But amid anecdotal struggles to share the sidewalk, there is a growing movement to slow the robot rollout, including petition drives, residential meetings and rumblings of political pressure to reexamine the pilot program. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026 However, the anecdotal nature of the evidence had left room for doubt, the researchers said. Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026 To be fair, there are anecdotal situations where this has occurred. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anecdotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anecdotal. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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