a priori 1 of 2

adjective

ˌä-prē-ˈȯr-ē How to pronounce a priori (audio)
Definition of a priorinext
as in inferable
being or provable by reasoning in which the conclusion follows necessarily from given information an a priori argument for the defendant's innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

a priori

2 of 2

adverb

as in early

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of a priori
Adjective
This sort of a priori justification for ESAs explains a few things. — Chandler Fritz, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 One of his most significant contributions was introducing new mathematical tools to model and incorporate a priori data—which relies on deductive reasoning to make predictions—to address signal recovery challenges. — IEEE Spectrum, 3 Oct. 2024 Knowing a priori which stocks will outperform the market is also much more difficult than reviewing the trends that occurred in the past. — Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 Alongside this effort, wildlife trafficking should be designated as a predicate offense for wiretap authorizations, which would empower authorities to start gathering intelligence without having to prove a link to other crimes a priori. — Vanda Felbab-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for a priori
Recent Examples of Synonyms for a priori
  1. derivable
  2. early
  3. reasoned
  4. prematurely
  5. already
  6. previously
  7. before
Adjective
  • That would be demonstrated if general relativity is derivable from quantum gravity.
    — Amanda Gefter, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024
  • And to little purpose, there being agreement among most faiths on the important morals, generally derivable from the golden rule.
    — Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2024
Definition of derivable
Adverb
  • Season 2 released earlier this week and consists of nine episodes and picks up following the events of the first season.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
  • The event hit its 25,000 capacity earlier in the day, a first and last for the free festival.
    — Zuri Primos July 12, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
Definition of early
Adjective
  • None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • This is a time for cool, calm and reasoned debate, and for legislators to think through the consequences of legislation put forth.
    — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of reasoned
Adverb
  • The spacecraft skipped the burn after a Raptor engine shut down prematurely during the launch sequence.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026
  • Wool has a protective oil on it called lanolin, which is removed by the laundry stripping process, and would result in the fibers prematurely wearing down.
    — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 12 July 2026
Definition of prematurely
Adverb
  • Bonaly had already attended Blazy’s Chanel show in March, alongside Claudie Haigneré, the first French woman to reach space.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026
  • Air Force partnership expands The award extends Asylon’s collaboration with the Air Force beyond autonomous security operations, an area where its robotic platforms already support active missions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of already
Adverb
  • Since the audit tool was introduced, multiple departments have announced arrests of officers across the state, signaling a level of misuse that may have previously gone undetected.
    — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
  • The Calabria governor confirmed that 63 Cuban doctors, some of them previously involved in Cuba’s international medical mission, recently applied to work in its healthcare system independently.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of previously
Adverb
  • What makes this harder to believe is that the night before, Gavin accused Kenny of lying to him for years, and Kenny likened him to Bernie Madoff.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 July 2026
  • The port city has been targeted before, most recently yesterday when the semi-official Fars News Agency reported the provincial government saying a projectile hit the western part of Bandar Abbas.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of before

Browse Nearby Words

après
a priori
apropos
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Cite this Entry

“A priori.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/a%20priori. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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