principled

adjective

prin·​ci·​pled ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəld 

-sə-bəld

: exhibiting, based on, or characterized by principle

—often used in combination

Synonyms

• decent
• ethical
• honest
• honorable
• just
• noble
• respectable
• righteous
• stand-up
• upright
• upstanding

Examples of principled in a Sentence

She took a principled stand on funding public education.

a high-principled art expert who always told clients what he honestly thought their items were worth

Recent Examples on the Web

Only the people of Iran, organized, unified, and backed by a principled international community, can finally bring this dark chapter to an end. —Jila Andalib, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2025

This field provides graduates with all sorts of opportunities within the healthcare field, and is a principled choice with a great ROI. —Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

On one side: Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman), a principled lawyer fighting for justice. —Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Observers have since talked about Rubio and Grenell as leaders of two competing factions within the Trump administration: the principled Venezuela hawks versus the pragmatists willing to make deals with Maduro. —Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for principled

• unprincipled

Kids Definition

principled

adjective

prin·​ci·​pled ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəld 

-sə-bəld

: based on or marked by principle

high-principled