Another Word For Heuristic

Meaning

The term "heuristic" refers to a problem-solving approach that involves using practical methods and experiential learning rather than following fixed rules or algorithms. Heuristic techniques help individuals find solutions more quickly and efficiently, often employing trial and error, intuition, or rules of thumb. These methods are particularly useful in complex or uncertain situations where traditional approaches may be too rigid or time-consuming.

Synonyms

• Problem-solving strategy
• Rule of thumb
• Trial and error
• Experiential learning
• Intuitive method

Antonyms

• Algorithmic
• Systematic
• Methodical
• Rigorous
• Precise

Etymology

The word "heuristic" comes from the Greek word "heuriskein," which means "to discover" or "to find." It was popularized in the 20th century as a term used in psychology and education to describe approaches that facilitate learning and discovery.

Examples

1. The teacher encouraged her students to use a heuristic approach to tackle complex math problems, allowing them to explore different methods of finding solutions.
2. In software development, programmers often rely on heuristic algorithms to optimize performance when perfect solutions are impractical.
3. The heuristic used in the research study helped the scientists navigate through vast amounts of data to discover significant patterns.
4. When faced with a new and challenging task, she instinctively adopted a heuristic strategy to break it down into manageable parts.