prima facie

adjective

Definition of prima facienext
1
as in presumed
appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed a prima facie case of tax fraud

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in evident
not needing proof in order to be accepted actions that established a prima facie case of discrimination

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of prima facie While most states follow absolute speeding limits, some have presumed or prima facie speeding limits, according to a database created by Massachusetts Institute of Technology software engineer John Carr. — Ana Faguy, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2022 Many unsuccessful Black head coach candidates will probably meet this initial (prima facie) case of discrimination. — Eric Bachman, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2022 Yelp argued that it ought not be required to respond to the subpoena because Mirza failed to establish a prima facie case. — Jack Greiner, The Enquirer, 11 Jan. 2022 None of these scenarios is prima facie impossible, and therefore, once raised, none can be dismissed out of hand. — Lindsay Beyerstein, The New Republic, 10 Dec. 2021 See All Example Sentences for prima facie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prima facie
  1. presumed
  2. evident
  3. apparent
  4. obvious
  5. possible
  6. axiomatic
  7. supposed
  8. unmistakable
Adjective
  • The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
Definition of presumed
Adjective
  • This issue is particularly evident among younger employees, as 20% of Gen Z workers report experiencing loneliness frequently—approximately double the rate reported by Millennials.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Boise State is among college football’s top teams for returning talent in 2026, and that fact is perhaps no more evident than in the running back room.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of evident
Adjective
  • This led to a segment on Newsmax in which anchor Carl Higbie deleted one Jelly Roll song from his phone on air, demonstrating the apparent righteous power of tapping a touch-screen button.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Colleges put limits on the right of students and teachers to express points of view that departed from this new apparent consensus.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of apparent
Adjective
  • The comparisons between the start of Ray Allen’s and Klay Thompson’s Miami Heat stories seem obvious.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Yet with no obvious signs of trauma, the researchers couldn’t say what sent the woman to an early grave.
    — Mike McRae August 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • Sunlight Place the plant in a sunny window, south-facing if possible, and give it four to six hours of sunlight each day.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Carley Garner, a commodity market strategist and broker at DeCarley Trading, said smaller futures and oil ETFs such as the United States Oil Fund (ticker USO) have made speculation possible for traders at almost any level of experience or funding.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • Statements tend to be axiomatic rather than descriptive of particular individuals.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 June 2026
  • Just a few years after the arrival of ZF, Kurt Gödel showed that no axiomatic system capable of basic arithmetic can be used to prove its own consistency.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of axiomatic
Adjective
  • But clearly any supposed rivalry between the legendary bands is water under the bridge.
    — Peter Gicas, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026
Definition of supposed
Adjective
  • Wilde cultivated an unmistakable appearance through his clothing, aestheticism, and flamboyance.
    — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Wonder Woman’s costume is an unmistakable part of her enduring appeal.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of unmistakable

Browse Nearby Words

prima donnas
prima facie
primal
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Cite this Entry

“Prima facie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prima%20facie. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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