Synonyms for Experiment: Better Alternatives With Examples

When you need another word for experiment, the best choice depends on what you mean. A scientific experiment can often be called a test or trial, while an investigation may describe the research process surrounding an experiment. In less formal situations, try, attempt, or test out may work better when you are simply trying a new idea or method.

The important point is that these words are not interchangeable in every sentence. Experiment can refer to a controlled scientific procedure, a trial of a new idea or policy, or the act of trying something to discover what happens. Oxford and Cambridge both recognize these scientific and broader “try something to see what happens” senses.

Quick Answer

The closest synonyms for experiment include test, trial, experimentation, and try. Depending on context, investigation, research, study, examination, pilot, and exploration can also work. Use test for checking whether something works or is true, trial for a formal or practical test, and try for a more general attempt.

Synonyms for Experiment at a Glance

Word	Relationship	Meaning	Strength	Formality	Best Context
Test	Direct synonym	A procedure used to check something	Similar	Neutral	Science, products, methods
Trial	Near synonym	A test of something under particular conditions	Similar	Neutral–formal	Medicine, systems, methods
Experimentation	Direct related form	The process of experimenting	Similar	Formal	Science, research, innovation
Try	Contextual alternative	An attempt to discover whether something works	Broader	Informal–neutral	Everyday situations
Investigation	Contextual alternative	Systematic inquiry to discover facts	Broader	Formal	Research, problems, causes
Research	Near synonym	Systematic study to gain knowledge	Broader	Formal	Academic and scientific work
Study	Near synonym	Detailed examination or research	Broader	Neutral–formal	Academic and scientific contexts
Examination	Contextual alternative	Careful inspection or testing	Broader	Formal	Scientific or technical contexts
Exploration	Contextual alternative	Investigation of possibilities or ideas	Different emphasis	Neutral–formal	Ideas, methods, discovery
Pilot	Context-specific	A preliminary test of a system or approach	Similar in limited contexts	Professional	Programs, systems, projects
Attempt	Contextual alternative	An effort to do something	Weaker/different	Neutral	General situations
Tryout	Contextual alternative	A practical test to evaluate something	Similar in some contexts	Informal–neutral	Products, performers, methods

Merriam-Webster lists test, experimentation, trial, and try among the principal or closely related alternatives for experiment. Collins also groups words such as investigation, research, examination, trial, and try-out according to particular meanings.

What Does “Experiment” Mean?

Experiment is both a noun and a verb.

As a noun, an experiment can mean a scientific test performed to learn something or determine whether something works or is true. It can also describe a new activity, idea, policy, or method that someone tries to see what happens.

For example:

• The researchers conducted an experiment to test the hypothesis.
• The school conducted an experiment with a new teaching method.
• Cooking the dish without a recipe was an experiment.

As a verb, experiment means to try or test something to discover its effects or characteristics.

• The researchers experimented with several materials.
• The company is experimenting with a new design.

Oxford specifically gives experiment with for trying new ideas or methods and experiment on for conducting experiments involving a person, animal, or other subject.

The Closest Synonyms for Experiment

1. Test

Test is usually the closest everyday synonym for experiment. Both can describe an action performed to discover whether something works, is true, or produces a particular result.

Example:

The researchers conducted a test to determine whether the material could withstand high temperatures.

Best for: scientific procedures, products, equipment, methods, theories, and performance.

The distinction is that experiment often emphasizes learning through controlled conditions, while test can be broader and simply emphasize checking something. Merriam-Webster explicitly defines experiment in one sense as a “test” or “trial.”

2. Trial

A trial is a test or attempt used to determine how well something works. It is particularly common when a method, treatment, system, or product is being evaluated.

Example:

The new treatment is undergoing clinical trials.

Best for: medicine, products, procedures, policies, and practical evaluation.

Trial is not always interchangeable with experiment. A trial often emphasizes practical testing or a particular period of evaluation, whereas experiment can emphasize discovering an effect or testing a hypothesis.

3. Experimentation

Experimentation refers to the process or practice of experimenting rather than one individual experiment.

Example:

Scientific progress often depends on careful experimentation.

Best for: academic, scientific, technical, and creative contexts.

It is especially useful when discussing experimentation as an ongoing activity.

4. Try

Try is a much more general and conversational alternative.

Example:

We decided to try a different approach.

You can use try when someone is attempting a new method to see what happens, but it does not automatically imply a scientific experiment.

Compare:

The scientists conducted an experiment.

with:

The scientists tried a different method.

The second sentence is broader and does not necessarily imply a controlled scientific procedure.

5. Investigation

An investigation is a systematic effort to discover facts or understand a problem.

Example:

The investigation examined why the machine had failed.

It can overlap with experiment when experimental work forms part of a broader investigation, but the words are not exact synonyms.

An experiment is a specific procedure; an investigation can include experiments, observations, interviews, analysis, or other methods.

6. Research

Research is broader than experiment. It refers to systematic study intended to discover information or develop knowledge.

Example:

The research included several laboratory experiments.

This sentence shows the relationship clearly: experiments can be part of research, but research is not necessarily an experiment.

Collins lists research as an alternative in the sense of investigating or trying out a new idea or method, but its meaning is broader.

7. Study

Study can refer to careful examination or systematic research.

Example:

The study examined how temperature affected plant growth.

In academic writing, study can be broader than experiment. A study might use experiments, surveys, observations, interviews, or existing data.

8. Examination

Examination emphasizes careful inspection, analysis, or testing.

Example:

Further examination of the samples revealed unexpected changes.

It is more formal than experiment and often focuses on examining something rather than manipulating conditions to observe an outcome.

9. Exploration

Exploration works when the emphasis is on investigating possibilities rather than conducting a controlled test.

Example:

The project involved an exploration of alternative teaching methods.

It is useful for ideas, possibilities, techniques, and unfamiliar areas of study.

10. Pilot

Pilot is useful when describing a preliminary test of a program, system, procedure, or approach.

Example:

The district launched a pilot program before introducing the system nationwide.

A pilot is not a universal synonym for experiment. It is best used when something is being tested on a limited or preliminary basis.

Which Word Should I Use?

Choose the alternative according to what you are actually describing.

Choose “test” when:

You want to check whether something works, is accurate, safe, or effective.

The engineers ran a test on the new engine.

Choose “trial” when:

You are evaluating something through a formal or practical trial.

The hospital began a trial of the new treatment.

Choose “research” when:

You mean the broader process of systematically gaining knowledge.

Her research focused on renewable energy.

Choose “investigation” when:

You are trying to discover facts or determine the cause of a problem.

The investigation revealed several possible causes.

Choose “study” when:

You mean a systematic examination or academic research project.

The study examined changes in consumer behavior.

Choose “try” when:

You are using everyday language to describe an attempt.

Let’s try a different approach.

Choose “pilot” when:

Something is being tested on a limited or preliminary basis before wider implementation.

The company launched a pilot program in three cities.

Experiment vs. Test

These two words are closely related, but they are not identical.

Experiment	Test
Often designed to discover an effect or test a hypothesis	Often designed to check performance, accuracy, safety, or truth
Common in scientific research	Common in science and everyday situations
Can involve controlled conditions	Does not necessarily imply an experiment
Often produces evidence for a question	Can simply determine whether a requirement is met

For example:

Scientists designed an experiment to investigate how light affects plant growth.

The technician performed a test to check whether the equipment was working.

Both are natural, but the emphasis differs.

Experiment vs. Trial

Experiment generally emphasizes the process of investigating or discovering something. Trial often emphasizes testing something in practical use or evaluating a particular treatment, method, or system.

The researchers designed an experiment to study the reaction.

The hospital conducted a trial of the new treatment.

In medical contexts, clinical trial is the established expression, so replacing it with clinical experiment can change the intended meaning and sound less natural.

Experiment vs. Research

Research is the broader category.

A research project may contain:

• experiments
• observations
• surveys
• interviews
• data analysis
• literature reviews
• fieldwork

Therefore, saying that every experiment is research can sometimes be reasonable, but saying that every research project is an experiment is incorrect.

The research included three controlled experiments.

This is more precise than treating research and experiment as interchangeable.

Experiment vs. Investigation

An investigation is an inquiry into a question, problem, event, or situation. An experiment is a particular method of testing or discovering something.

The investigation examined the cause of the equipment failure.

The experiment tested whether a particular component caused the failure.

An investigation may use an experiment as one part of the process.

Experiment vs. Try

Try is much broader and less technical.

I tried a new recipe.

The researchers conducted an experiment.

The first sentence simply describes an attempt. The second suggests a structured procedure intended to produce knowledge or test something.

When writing scientific or academic material, experiment is usually more precise.

Common Contexts for “Experiment”

The best synonym changes according to the noun that follows it.

Scientific experiment

Use experiment, test, or sometimes trial.

The scientists conducted an experiment under controlled conditions.

Medical experiment

Depending on the exact meaning, experiment, clinical trial, or study may be appropriate.

The treatment was evaluated in a clinical trial.

Product experiment

Test, trial, or pilot may be more natural.

The company ran a test of the new packaging.

Business experiment

Experiment, trial, pilot, or test can work.

The company launched a pilot program in selected stores.

Testing a new idea

Experiment, try, or exploration may fit.

The designer experimented with several layouts.

Academic research

Experiment, study, research, or investigation may be appropriate depending on the activity.

The study included two controlled experiments.

Common Collocations With “Experiment”

Some combinations sound particularly natural in scientific and academic English.

Common verbs

• conduct an experiment
• perform an experiment
• carry out an experiment
• do an experiment
• design an experiment
• run an experiment
• repeat an experiment
• replicate an experiment
• conduct experiments
• perform experiments

Oxford lists common combinations such as do, perform, conduct, and carry out an experiment.

Common types

• scientific experiment
• laboratory experiment
• controlled experiment
• field experiment
• behavioral experiment
• thought experiment
• medical experiment
• chemistry experiment

Common prepositions

• experiment on something/someone
• experiment with something
• experiment in something

For example:

The researchers experimented with different materials.

The scientists conducted experiments on the samples.

Oxford and Cambridge both document these patterns.

Common Mistakes With Experiment Synonyms

Mistake 1: Treating “research” as an exact synonym

Research is broader. An experiment can be part of research, but research does not necessarily involve experimentation.

Mistake 2: Using “trial” for every experiment

A trial is appropriate in particular contexts, especially formal evaluation and medical or practical testing. It is not a universal replacement.

Mistake 3: Using “attempt” when you mean scientific experiment

An attempt simply means an effort to do something. It does not necessarily involve systematic testing or observation.

The scientist conducted an experiment.

is more precise than:

The scientist made an attempt.

Mistake 4: Using “investigation” when a controlled test is meant

An investigation may involve many methods. If the sentence refers specifically to a controlled procedure, experiment or test is usually clearer.

Mistake 5: Assuming “try” has the same technical meaning

Try is useful in ordinary English, but it does not automatically communicate scientific methodology.

Related Words That Are Not Exact Synonyms

Some words frequently appear near experiment but should not be presented as direct synonyms:

• hypothesis — a proposed explanation or prediction to be tested
• evidence — information supporting or challenging a conclusion
• observation — information obtained by watching or measuring
• data — recorded facts or measurements
• method — a way of doing something
• procedure — a particular series of actions
• research — broader systematic investigation
• study — broader examination or research
• laboratory — a place or setting for scientific work

These words belong to the same vocabulary field but describe different concepts.

Pronunciation of Experiment

As a noun, experiment is pronounced approximately:

• US: /ɪkˈsper.ə.mənt/
• UK: /ɪkˈsper.ɪ.mənt/

As a verb:

• US: /ɪkˈsper.əˌment/
• UK: /ɪkˈsper.ɪˌment/

Cambridge and Oxford both distinguish the noun and verb pronunciations.

Word Origin

Experiment comes from Middle English through Old French or Latin experimentum, from Latin experiri, meaning “to try.” Its history is closely connected with the idea of trying something to gain knowledge or discover what happens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closest synonym for experiment?

Test is generally the closest broad synonym. Trial and try can also be close alternatives, but each has different contextual uses. A scientific experiment usually implies a procedure designed to learn something, while test can be used more broadly for checking whether something works or is true.

What is another word for experiment in science?

In scientific writing, test, trial, study, and sometimes investigation can work depending on the exact meaning. However, experiment is often the most precise word when referring to a controlled procedure designed to investigate an effect or test a hypothesis.

Is “trial” a synonym for “experiment”?

Sometimes. Both can describe testing something to discover how it performs or what happens. However, trial often emphasizes practical or formal evaluation, while experiment more strongly suggests investigation or discovery.

Is “research” the same as “experiment”?

No. Research is a broader concept that can include experiments, observations, surveys, interviews, analysis, and other methods. An experiment can be one part of a research project.

What is a formal synonym for experiment?

Depending on context, trial, investigation, examination, or experimental study may sound more formal. There is no single formal synonym that works in every sentence.

What is a simple synonym for experiment?

Try is the simplest everyday alternative when you mean trying something to see what happens. Test is usually better when you mean checking whether something works or is true.

What is the difference between experiment and test?

An experiment usually involves a procedure intended to discover an effect, relationship, or result, often under controlled conditions. A test can be broader and simply check performance, accuracy, safety, or truth. In some scientific contexts, the two words overlap substantially.

Conclusion

The best synonym for experiment depends on the activity you are describing. Test is the closest general alternative, while trial works well for formal or practical evaluation. Research and study are broader, investigation emphasizes systematic inquiry, pilot suggests preliminary testing, and try is the natural everyday choice for a simple attempt.