as in rule
something (such as a belief or value) that helps a person know what is right and wrong and that influences their actions
He refused to participate on principle. It is against her principles to steal.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 principle
My message was simple: Nations must reaffirm their commitment to discouraging drug use and promoting health and safety, in accord with the long-standing principles established under the three international drug policy conventions.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Unfortunately, the Post and Gannett betrayed these core principles.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
The right to seek legal redress and the right of the press to report on it are sacred principles that are protected by multiple privileges, including the litigation and fair report privileges, which are absolute.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
Above all, perhaps, the domination of EU regulatory thinking by the precautionary principle has led to heavy-handed regulation under which tradeoffs and opportunity ...
—David B. McGarry, National Review, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Unfortunately, the Post and Gannett betrayed these core principles.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
The right to seek legal redress and the right of the press to report on it are sacred principles that are protected by multiple privileges, including the litigation and fair report privileges, which are absolute.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
Above all, perhaps, the domination of EU regulatory thinking by the precautionary principle has led to heavy-handed regulation under which tradeoffs and opportunity ...
—David B. McGarry, National Review, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principle
Noun
-
In 2022, as gun kits became more and more of a problem for law enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued a rule classifying the kits as firearms under the 1968 Gun Control Act.—
NPR Washington Desk,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Eruption of warfare The army and RSF had at one point been in a fragile partnership together, jointly staging a coup in 2021 that derailed the transition from the Islamist rule of Omar al-Bashir, a longtime autocrat who was ousted in 2019.—
FOXNews.com,
FOXNews.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Duties include directing technical concept development for proposals, along with leading affordability and safety standards for projects.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Hegseth also claimed that standards have previously been lowered for women in the military.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
However, her response states that because legislative bodies are not responsible for enforcing laws, she is blocked from speaking to lawmakers.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN,
20 Mar. 2025
-
This decision follows the university’s denial of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made two years ago by Michael LeRoy, a U of I law professor who studies college sports.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The clip, which has garnered over 359,000 views, sparked a discussion in the comments and saw other parents share the different food values they were taught while growing up.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The median home value in ZIP code 63124 was already well above the home values of other expensive ZIP codes, having a median of $804,799 back in February 2020, a time when no other ZIP codes even exceeded $700,000.—
Andrew DePietro,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principle. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share