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.
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 Partisan advantage Many observers perceive a partisan as well as principled divide on the current court. Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025 Sensible, principled, and conservative but able to work across the aisle, Kirkmeyer is the best Republican candidate to run for governor in years. Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025 Massie ‘most principled’ House rep, Paul says Paul, for his part, dismissed efforts to end Massie’s tenure in Congress by running someone against him. Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Sep. 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 6 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
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