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.
Any reduction in tumor size is anecdotal and may be due to a variety of reasons including weight loss. Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 There are anecdotal cases of seismic swarms before a large rupture that, in hindsight, could have provided some clues to possibly detect early signs of future large ruptures. Sylvain Barbot, The Conversation, 26 June 2026 And there’s data that seems to suggest this isn’t all anecdotal. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026 Amid anecdotal reports that airport security services have been confiscating bottles of ranch dressing that sports tourists have tried to smuggle out of the country, Kraft Heinz came up with a TSA-friendly size of ranch dressing. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 25 June 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 6 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on anecdotal

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster