post hoc

adjective

\ ˈpōst-ˈhäk

Definition of post hoc

1 : relating to or being the fallacy of arguing from temporal sequence to a causal relation

2 : formulated after the fact a post hoc rationalization

Examples of post hoc in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Our cancel culture relies on the unpredictability and post hoc nature of the enforcement to instill a spirit of creative and preemptive conformity among those with something to lose. — Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, "Pavlik Morozov Is the Patron Saint of Cancel Culture," 2 July 2019 But these, deCervo likes to point out, are post hoc variables. — Zach Schonbrun, New York Times, "How Do Athletes’ Brains Control Their Movements?," 13 Apr. 2018 But to arbitrarily impose a post hoc analysis after voters have seen such a person run a campaign is not right. — Michael Smerconish, Philly.com, "President Trump's mental health: Public debate is 'unfair and unseemly' | Michael Smerconish," 8 Jan. 2018 There is something called a post hoc fallacy in logic, which says that because one thing happened, a second development is erroneously thought to be directly caused by it. — Bill Livingston, cleveland.com, "Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, Brian Hartline and yardsticks: Bill Livingston (photos, video)," 31 Oct. 2017 Subsidized premiums and post hoc disaster aid shift flood risk from individual owners to taxpayers at large and encourage development in flood-prone areas. — Logan Strother, Washington Post, "National flood insurance will help clean up after Irma and Harvey. And that’s a problem.," 11 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'post hoc.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.