in principle

Definitions

In theory or as a general idea, though not necessarily in practice.

As a matter of fundamental belief or moral conviction.

Examples

In principle, the new policy should reduce the amount of paperwork for all employees.

I agree with your proposal in principle, but I have some concerns about the implementation details.

Synonyms

theoretically in theory on paper ideally conceptually in essence hypothetically

Antonyms

in practice in reality actually practically in fact empirically de facto