a posteriori
adjective
a pos·te·ri·o·ri ˌä-(ˌ)pō-ˌstir-ē-ˈȯr-ē 
-ˌster-;
ˌā-(ˌ)pä-ˌstir-ē-ˈȯr-ˌī -(ˌ)pō-,
-ˈȯr-ē
1
: inductive
2
: relating to or derived by reasoning from observed facts compare a priori
a posteriori adverb
Did you know?
A posteriori, Latin for "from the latter", is a term from logic, which usually refers to reasoning that works backward from an effect to its causes. This kind of reasoning can sometimes lead to false conclusions. The fact that sunrise follows the crowing of a rooster, for example, doesn't necessarily mean that the rooster's crowing caused the sun to rise.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web This a posteriori saga gives us a refreshed Raphael, whose psychological acuity feels newly approachable. 
Roberta Smith, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2020
Roberta Smith, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2020 Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Medieval Latin ā posteriōrī literally, "from what is later"
First Known Use
1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1
a posteriori
adjective
as in a priori
formal relating to what can be known by observation rather than through an understanding of how certain things work an a posteriori explanation Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- a priori
- reasonable
- good
- syllogistic
- cognitive
- logical
- analytic
- defensible
- rational
- valid
- sound
- coherent
- consequent
- sensible
- empirical
- empiric
- analytical
- well-founded
- maintainable
- justifiable
- well-grounded
- sustainable
- defendable
- tenable
- supportable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fallacious
- misleading
- specious
- casuistical
- eristical
- casuistic
- preposterous
- stupid
- sophistic
- sophistical
- eristic
- mad
- unscientific
- fatuous
- absurd
- unarticulated
- crazy
- nutty
- insane
- cockeyed
- harebrained
- thoughtless
- nonsensical
- loony
- simpleminded
- daffy
- unconvincing
- weak
- illogical
- witless
- irrational
- unreasonable
- invalid
- senseless
- incoherent
- inconsequential
- illegitimate
- half-witted
- half-baked
- unsound
- looney
- weak-minded
- inconsequent
- uncompelling