preconceive
verb
pre·con·ceive
ˌprē-kən-ˈsēv 
preconceived; preconceiving; preconceives
: to form (an opinion) prior to actual knowledge or experience
preconceived notions
Examples of preconceive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As leaders, preconceived notions can blind us from being truly open to change and innovation.
—
Glenn Taylor, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023
To overcome these hurdles, incumbents need to recognize and change preconceived notions and ingrained behaviors that are holding them back.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2023
Some family members might absolutely get it from day one, while others might have preconceived ideas about migraine and a person’s ability to just soldier through.
—Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, 31 Mar. 2023
In the style of Hong Kong action, each angle is preconceived rather than discovered through the process of editing (as is more common in western action).
—Vulture, 7 Mar. 2023
At the same time there isn’t the same amount of baggage or preconceived notions about what Vogue should and can be.
—Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2023
But as LaMendola has learned, rankings and preconceived notions don’t really matter.
—Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2023
The heavy topic of identity has so many cliches, preconceived ideas of reconciliation and closure.
—Mark Olsenstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2023
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Glenn Taylor, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023
To overcome these hurdles, incumbents need to recognize and change preconceived notions and ingrained behaviors that are holding them back.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2023
Some family members might absolutely get it from day one, while others might have preconceived ideas about migraine and a person’s ability to just soldier through.
—Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, 31 Mar. 2023
In the style of Hong Kong action, each angle is preconceived rather than discovered through the process of editing (as is more common in western action).
—Vulture, 7 Mar. 2023
At the same time there isn’t the same amount of baggage or preconceived notions about what Vogue should and can be.
—Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2023
But as LaMendola has learned, rankings and preconceived notions don’t really matter.
—Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2023
The heavy topic of identity has so many cliches, preconceived ideas of reconciliation and closure.
—Mark Olsenstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Preconceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preconceive. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preconceive
verb
pre·con·ceive
ˌprē-kən-ˈsēv
: to form (an opinion or idea) beforehand
preconceived notions about foreign lands
preconception
noun
-ˈsep-shən
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