on principle
idiom
: because of one's beliefs
She refused on principle to give toy guns to the children.
Examples of on principle in a Sentence
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Brazil’s and Colombia’s efforts to mediate between Maduro’s government and the opposition have floundered, and their desire to appear neutral in the name of dialogue has vitiated their ability to act on principle.
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Christopher Sabatini, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2024
Many Republicans oppose short-term funding measures on principle, and also have misgivings about voting to increase the debt ceiling.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2024
There is no evidence Duffy is against tariffs on principle.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
But the ban on solicitation is not merely imposed on principle alone, says Michael Waddington, a criminal defense attorney who specializes in court-marial cases.
—Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 19 Nov. 2024
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Christopher Sabatini, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2024
Many Republicans oppose short-term funding measures on principle, and also have misgivings about voting to increase the debt ceiling.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2024
There is no evidence Duffy is against tariffs on principle.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
But the ban on solicitation is not merely imposed on principle alone, says Michael Waddington, a criminal defense attorney who specializes in court-marial cases.
—Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for on principle
Dictionary Entries Near on principle
Cite this Entry
“On principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20principle. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.
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