in principle

phrase

: with respect to fundamentals
They accepted the offer in principle.

Examples of in principle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
During the call, the parties agreed in principle to continue the trial to March 22, 2027, or a later date mutually acceptable to the parties and the Court. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026 Lorch and other Pentagon and State Department officials flew to Caracas in the final days of that month and agreed in principle to a deal. — Cate Brown, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 The Russians and Ukrainians agreed this week in principle to begin peace talks at a technical level moderated by the United States. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 According to a Kremlin transcript, Putin's senior foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov said that the Russian leader told Witkoff that Moscow was prepared, in principle, to resume the talks in early November. — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in principle

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in principle was in 1756

Rhymes for in principle

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Browse Nearby Words

in preparation for
in principle
in print
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Cite this Entry

“In principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20principle. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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