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
  • Programs such as HyCAT are intended to provide more frequent opportunities to test technologies in realistic flight conditions, potentially allowing developers to identify problems earlier and iterate more quickly.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The National Weather Service called for blowing dust early Friday evening and a 20% chance of rain on Sunday for nearby Gerlach, Nevada, a community of 58 people about 100 miles north of Reno.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of early
Adjective
  • In layman’s terms, critical thinking is the ability to think independently by questioning claims, weighing evidence, and making reasoned judgments.
    — Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of reasoned
Adverb
  • The injury was a recurrence of an issue that ended Brown’s 2024 season prematurely.
    — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Octane measures how well fuel resists exploding prematurely under compression in a gasoline engine.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of prematurely
Adverb
  • The panel's decision comes even as the Supreme Court is already considering the same case, which is part of a frenzied legal rush as states are beginning to send out mail ballots for this fall's midterm elections.
    — NICHOLAS RICCARDI, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Relativity Space is already looking beyond rockets before ever putting anything into orbit.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of already
Adverb
  • Rogers struggled during a July 9 meeting to assuage disability advocates' concerns about potential bureaucratic dysfunction caused by the shift, USA TODAY previously reported.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • He’d previously been expected to close out the convention’s second night but ended up swapping spots with Vice President JD Vance, the likely GOP nominee in the 2028 general election.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of previously
Adverb
  • The day before, De Zerbi namechecked Gallagher as a player who can help his team from a set pieces and physicality perspective.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Navratil has tried to trap this colony unsuccessfully twice before.
    — Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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