in principle

Idioms  

1. Fundamentally, in general, but not necessarily in all particulars. For example, The diplomats accepted the idea in principle but would rely on experts to work out all the details. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in principle

Mark Sanchez has reached an agreement in principle to end the civil case against him filed by a truck driver who got into a physical altercation with the former USC and NFL quarterback last fall.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

Mark Sanchez has reached an agreement in principle to end the civil case against him filed by a truck driver who got into a physical altercation with the former USC and NFL quarterback.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

"The great advantage of the new nuclear clock in Vienna is that, if you use atomic nuclei rather than atoms, much higher precision is possible in principle," says Thorsten Schumm.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

You can use, in principle, light instead of electricity.

From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026

Like Walter, he said he was not in principle against negotiations, and I responded exactly as I had with Walter.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela