prior knowledge

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"In some cases, incidents appear opportunistic, smash-and-grab, while others look more targeted -- suggesting prior knowledge of store layouts, closing routines, or where higher-value inventory is kept," Jarman said.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Despite no prior knowledge of the mission - ministers at Holyrood say they heard about it from the media - the Scottish government is broadly supportive of the action.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

To ensure that no one brought in prior knowledge, the researchers used a completely fictional learning task.

From Science Daily • Nov. 25, 2025

The ambigrammist doesn’t impose an alien structure on the letterforms so much as uncover a potential already present in them and their viewers, whose brains helpfully resolve ambiguity from context and prior knowledge.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Sir Lawrence flatly denied prior knowledge of Francis’ efforts and was thoroughly insulted by the implication that he had underhandedly used another scientist’s ideas.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson