preconceived

American  

[pree-kuhn-seevd] / ˌpri kənˈsivd /

adjective

1. (of an idea, opinion, etc.) formed beforehand, as before seeing evidence or as a result of a previously held prejudice.

   By challenging preconceived ideas about how things should be done, an outsider to the business can often identify helpful new strategies.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of preconceive.

Etymology

Origin of preconceived

First recorded in 1575–85; preconceive ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective; preconceive ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb

Example Sentences

The Hell Cats, as a group, challenge voters’ preconceived notions about who can lead in the United States.

From Salon

The way this Superman battled preconceived notions of who Superman should be was to remove any warm and cuddly aspects of the figure.

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors are hopeful that he will channel the approach of Druckenmiller, who is relentless in trusting data, rather than preconceived beliefs.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Ms. Biss was always working, seeing beyond preconceived notions, soaking up experiences and writing about them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Unlike the deliberate, premeditated approach of human engineers, the natural process for generating life has no preconceived plan.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bigoted
• discriminatory
• dogmatic
• intolerant
• intransigent
• one-sided
• opinionated
• racist
• sexist
• xenophobic