anecdotal evidence

noun phrase

Meaning

Information based on personal accounts or isolated examples rather than reliable, scientific research.

Examples

  • The company dismissed the complaints as anecdotal evidence that did not reflect the overall customer satisfaction ratings.
  • While many people swear by this diet, their success is based on anecdotal evidence and lacks rigorous clinical testing.

Synonyms: hearsay, unverified, subjective, unsubstantiated