1
as in honorable
following the accepted rules of moral conduct
a high-principled art expert who always told clients what he honestly thought their items were worth
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2
as in ethical
guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong
a politician widely respected for her principled behavior in every office she ever held
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of principled
But as a matter of context, there is a difference between the principled partisans of the early republic, the professional analysts of the 20th century, and an owner who demands his media outlet’s opinions should be limited to his preferences.
—
Joseph Jones, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
The vast majority of Florida preservation enthusiasts want these intruders gone — as do the vast majority of normal people, who don’t need a principled reason for preferring not to live anywhere near 20-foot pythons.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025
As global challenges—from conflict to economic instability—intensify, the need for strong and principled leadership has never been greater.
—Imran Khan, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
The solution, too good to spoil here, involves a sacrilegious yet principled breach of a basic rule—and a tweak to a pitcher’s very identity.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principled
Joseph Jones, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
The vast majority of Florida preservation enthusiasts want these intruders gone — as do the vast majority of normal people, who don’t need a principled reason for preferring not to live anywhere near 20-foot pythons.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025
As global challenges—from conflict to economic instability—intensify, the need for strong and principled leadership has never been greater.
—Imran Khan, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
The solution, too good to spoil here, involves a sacrilegious yet principled breach of a basic rule—and a tweak to a pitcher’s very identity.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principled
Adjective
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Nelson provided a copy of his honorable discharge, which was issued in 2011 and related to a previous term of service.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2025
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For Dan Hurley, UConn men, a painful, but honorable end to their historic era Dom Amore: For Dan Hurley, UConn men, a painful, but honorable end to their historic era Dom Amore’s Sunday Read: Will coaching carousel finally snag Dan Hurley’s assistants?—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Data practices should also ensure compliance with privacy laws such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), while promoting ethical handling of sensitive information.—
Ben Blanquera,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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So, if insects can feel pain, as most Americans believe, then there is an ethical reason to protect their welfare.—
Bob Fischer,
The Conversation,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The current lawsuits still need to play out in the courts, but the cases have brought attention to the need for TV brands to be honest about the capabilities of their QD TVs.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
31 Mar. 2025
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Be honest about strategic intent: If the acquisition will eventually be fully integrated, communicate this from the beginning rather than creating false expectations of independence.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Company executives often frame the technology not just as a moral good, but a moral imperative—a way for humans, who have driven so many species to the brink of extinction, to get square with nature.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
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While Democratic lawmakers such as Senator Cory Booker, Congressman Tom Suozzi, Congressman Seth Moulton, and Senator Chris Murphy are urging their party to at least defer to the states on the issue, they’re motivated by political urgency, not a moral commitment to truth.—
Caroline Downey,
National Review,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Further back, Kimi Antonelli in sixth impressed in his Mercedes, setting the fastest lap of the race, while home favorite Yuki Tsunoda fought through to a respectable P12 in his first race for Red Bull.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
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The twin-size Premier Hybrid is the only size currently $100 less, but the queen starts at a respectable $999, while the king starts at $1,199.—
Christopher Murray,
FOXNews.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Emily is a conscientious worker who is constantly evaluating her performance and setting ever higher goals.—
Heide Janssen,
Orange County Register,
16 Mar. 2025
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On the other hand lies the more difficult but ultimately more promising path: repudiation of that post-2008 legacy and a conscientious return to a politics of the prudential center.—
Newsweek,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principled. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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