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
  • Max Buchanan hurt Starting Hurricanes right guard Max Buchanan sustained an apparent knee injury early in the second quarter.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Word of Kreiz’s joining Paramount trickled out earlier in the day, but Ellison had already decided to wait until after market close to announce it.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 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
  • Enforcing rigid standards prematurely—as early Space Development Agency (SDA) mandates demonstrated—can freeze sub-optimal designs and throttle rapid tech iteration.
    — Rohit Jha, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The committee said the child was born extremely prematurely, at 26 weeks and three days, while the family was abroad.
    — Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of prematurely
Adverb
  • And last December, after an already enviable year, Winter became the newest member of this exclusive club.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That means news of the divorce is already becoming semi-public.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of already
Adverb
  • According to court filings, Seaver previously worked for private military contractors and later provided security for Parton and her properties through his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services (SAPS), which is also a party to the lawsuit.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Nobel Prize in Physics, first given in 1901, has been previously awarded 119 times to 229 individuals.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of previously
Adverb
  • In 2025, its respondents averaged $347,460 in fine-art purchases, up 19% from the year before.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • As the impact of the sanctions kicked in, Huawei's consumer business — once the company's largest by revenue — halved to about $34 billion in 2021 from the year before.
    — Matthew Tan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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