principled

adjective

prin·​ci·​pled ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəld How to pronounce principled (audio)
-sə-bəld
: exhibiting, based on, or characterized by principle
often used in combination

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
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.
Yet the competent and principled men on the island were wiped out under colonization. Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025 But in the 21st century, American power depends on principled leadership, allies, and legitimacy. Loree Sutton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 Ultimately, choosing forestry mulching as a first step in land planning can be both pragmatic and principled. Jon Stojan, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025 Throughout, there’s a principled commitment to not letting himself off the hook, but, also, a tenderness with his younger self. Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for principled

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of principled was in 1635

Cite this Entry

“Principled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/principled. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

principled

adjective
prin·​ci·​pled ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəld How to pronounce principled (audio)
-sə-bəld
: based on or marked by principle
high-principled
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!