In computer science, a method of investigation based on the progressive approximation of a problem is called a heuristic.
Source: tatoeba (10472694)
Heuristic
/hjuˈɹɪstɪk/
Synonyms for "heuristic" (95 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (19)
Noun(6 words)
Adjective(5 words)
approximate logicapproximate methodapproximate rulebroad ruleexperimental knowhow
Strong matches (29)
Noun(10 words)
Verb(1 words)
Adjective(6 words)
Related words (47)
Noun(25 words)
irrationalitiesjump strategylearning strategymental shortcutmore is bettermost of the timeoccampersonal ruleplanning principlepracticalpractical methodprinciple of gravityproblem basedprogressive civilization erarealisticrulerule of thumbrule of thumb methodrummagingsearch method
Show 5 more words
Adjective(5 words)
Determiner(1 words)
the principles
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: adages, analytic, analytical, approximate, approximate logic.
- Sentence evidence is available for heuristic, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "heuristic".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "heuristic"
Keep "heuristic" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "heuristic" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "heuristic", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "heuristic" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
10 entriesMore specific
12 entriesdiscovery taskeducated guessguided inquiryheuristic approachheuristic methodheuristic techniqueinquiry based learningproblem based learningproblem solving taskrule of thumbrule of thumb methodtrial and error
Collocations
9 entriesheuristic approachheuristic evaluationheuristic learningheuristic methodheuristic problem solvingheuristic reasoningheuristic strategyheuristic techniqueheuristic thinking
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
1 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
1 entriestrial-and-error
Translations
24 translations across 22 languages.
Arabic
1 entries- إرشادي adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Bulgarian
1 entries- евристичен adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Catalan
1 entries- heurístic adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Czech
1 entries- heuristický adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Danish
1 entries- heuristisk adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Dutch
1 entries- heuristisch adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Esperanto
2 entries- heŭristika adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
- problemsolvila adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Finnish
1 entries- heuristinen adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
French
1 entries- heuristique adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Georgian
1 entries- ევრისტიკული adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
German
1 entries- heuristisch adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Greek
1 entries- ευρετικός adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Hungarian
1 entries- heurisztikus adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Indonesian
1 entries- heuristik adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Italian
1 entries- euristico adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Occitan
1 entries- euristic adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Polish
2 entries- heurystyczny adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
- heurystyka adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Portuguese
1 entries- heurístico adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Romanian
1 entries- euristic adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Russian
1 entries- эвристи́ческий adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Spanish
1 entries- heurístico adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Swedish
1 entries- heuristisk adj (relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems)
Sample sentences
6 total sentences available.
I don't think that heuristic will work.
Source: tatoeba (11492689)
It's a heuristic solution.
Source: tatoeba (11492690)
Tom's approach to navigating corn mazes is heuristic.
Source: tatoeba (13421420)
Showing 4 of 6 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "heuristic"?
Closest matches include adages, analytic, analytical, approximate, approximate logic.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "heuristic"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.