as in assumptions
an attitude, belief, or impression formed in advance of actual experience of something
tried to go into the training sessions without any preconceptions
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Recent Examples of preconceptions
At music director Fabio Luisi’s behest, the first piece on each program will be unidentified, encouraging audiences to listen without any preconceptions.
—
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
More than just a mere tale of medieval heroism, this is a surreal, gorgeous piece of work that challenges preconceptions of fantasy dramas and feels vitally fresh.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Those materials included, among other things, the logic of commodity capitalism and cultural preconceptions of their time.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
There are no preconceptions, molds or formulas for a place like Dadeland.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Judges were asked to set aside any preconceptions or biases and evaluate how successfully each car executed its mission.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
The goal is to expand palates and preconceptions beyond the kebab, but Grigoryan plans on introducing some to the menu via sidewalk grilling once the weather warms.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Chili tastes are highly personal, often inflexible and loaded with preconceptions — the political party of culinary offerings.
—The Know, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Based on his 2020 short film, Meeks draws from his personal ties to Ohio to upbraid our preconceptions about the cyclical nature of addiction and recovery.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
More than just a mere tale of medieval heroism, this is a surreal, gorgeous piece of work that challenges preconceptions of fantasy dramas and feels vitally fresh.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Those materials included, among other things, the logic of commodity capitalism and cultural preconceptions of their time.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
There are no preconceptions, molds or formulas for a place like Dadeland.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Judges were asked to set aside any preconceptions or biases and evaluate how successfully each car executed its mission.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
The goal is to expand palates and preconceptions beyond the kebab, but Grigoryan plans on introducing some to the menu via sidewalk grilling once the weather warms.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Chili tastes are highly personal, often inflexible and loaded with preconceptions — the political party of culinary offerings.
—The Know, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Based on his 2020 short film, Meeks draws from his personal ties to Ohio to upbraid our preconceptions about the cyclical nature of addiction and recovery.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preconceptions
Noun
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Come ready to shed any rigid assumptions and play.—
Lilliam Rivera,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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That math reshapes assumptions about where audiences gather and what production value means to them.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In addition to being politically fraught, the plan would undoubtedly be the target of litigation under a variety of legal theories.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
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Juergen Habermas, one of the world’s most influential philosophers whose theories on communication and rationality shaped modern intellectual thought, died at 96.—
Geir Moulson,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preconceptions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preconceptions. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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