unscientific

adjective

un·​sci·​en·​tif·​ic ˌən-ˌsī-ən-ˈti-fik How to pronounce unscientific (audio)
Synonyms of unscientificnext
: not scientific : not based on or exhibiting scientific knowledge or scientific methodology : not in accord with the principles and methods of science
an unscientific survey
unscientific claims
an unscientific approach
unscientifically
ˌən-ˌsī-ən-ˈti-fi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce unscientific (audio)
adverb

Examples of unscientific in a Sentence

I conducted an unscientific survey.
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.
On rare occasions the selection of award recipients has also served as a critique of public policy and institutional practices that have disregarded scientific evidence or been grounded in unscientific reasoning. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026 Undeniably, the selection of a Heisman winner is an unscientific endeavor. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Lazar's experiment is an unscientific way of comparing values, starting with a composition notebook. — Kristine Lazar, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 The report emphasizes that as a leading health official, Kennedy's unscientific statements risk spreading misinformation and harming public health. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unscientific

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unscientific was circa 1775

Rhymes for unscientific

See All Rhymes for unscientific

Browse Nearby Words

unschooled
unscientific
unscorched
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unscientific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unscientific. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

unscientific

adjective
un·​sci·​en·​tif·​ic ˌən-ˌsī-ən-ˈtif-ik How to pronounce unscientific (audio)
: not scientific: as
a
: not being in agreement with the principles and methods of science
an unscientific poll
b
: not showing scientific knowledge or familiarity with scientific methods
an unscientific explanation
unscientifically
-ˈtif-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce unscientific (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unscientific

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unscientific

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All