principled

adjective

prin·​ci·​pled ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəld 

-sə-bəld

: exhibiting, based on, or characterized by principle

—often used in combination

Synonyms of principled

• honorable
• ethical
• honest
• respectable

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

The movie seems keen to the now-ancient and passé concept of selling out, though not terribly interested in actually reviving or adopting Gen X’s principled superstition against it. —Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026

That history complicates any attempt to frame the current lawsuit as purely principled IP defense rather than competitive positioning. —Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

And then there are different kind of more principled views. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 16 Jan. 2026

Meena is the strategist of the team, Ravi serves as the fearless and principled muscle, and Mitali specializes in tracking high-value goods and executing swift inspections at customs checkpoints. —Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for principled

• unprincipled

Kids Definition

principled

adjective

prin·​ci·​pled ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəld 

-sə-bəld

: based on or marked by principle

high-principled