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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of principled
America is hurtling toward the loss of its democratic institutions and the establishment of an authoritarian state where there will be no civil discussion of these issues at all: That’s what a principled opposition must fight with its full might.
—
Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
For students to see not only an institution taking a principled stand against the government of the day but for that stand to be made in Cambridge is deeply meaningful.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
For progressives concerned about unchecked presidential authority, this offers a rare opportunity for principled cross-partisan agreement.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
But Miller's critics contend his battle against food inspections and regulation isn’t about making some principled stand against government overreach.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principled
Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
For students to see not only an institution taking a principled stand against the government of the day but for that stand to be made in Cambridge is deeply meaningful.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
For progressives concerned about unchecked presidential authority, this offers a rare opportunity for principled cross-partisan agreement.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
But Miller's critics contend his battle against food inspections and regulation isn’t about making some principled stand against government overreach.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principled
Adjective
-
Court documents show Blankenship has been employed by the city since 2006 following his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
White Painted Woman was a model of heroism and honorable womanhood: When evil monsters were hunting the Apache people, the White Painted Woman gave birth to a son who would destroy the creatures to help make Earth inhabitable for humanity.—
Alejandra Rubio,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite all of that, as the legislature enters the final weeks of its spring session, strengthening the state’s ethical safeguards doesn’t appear to be anywhere near the top of the agenda in Springfield.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
-
His relationship evolved from setting firm boundaries to setting ethical guardrails, offering context, and supporting his autonomy with curiosity and love.—
Rebekah Bastian,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And, to be honest, her description of the breakup at that time sounded a lot more amicable than it’s been sounding lately.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2025
-
But only if leaders have the appetite for that kind of honest data.—
Aparna Rae,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Hungary Law Poses Predicament Limbo land: Film and TV makers are facing a moral dilemma in Hungary, which has become a production hotspot thanks to its generous 30% tax rebate that, crucially, pays upfront.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
18 Apr. 2025
-
But reading also builds our empathic muscles and challenges our ethical and moral judgment.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The daughter of Season 25’s Bryan Olesen turned out a perfectly respectable rendition of Avril Lavigne’s ballad.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Rose shot a very respectable round of 71, but had too many bogeys mixed in with his handful of birdies.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That dissonance is a function of how eating less meat has been wrapped in a conscientious and moral sheen.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Emily is a conscientious worker who is constantly evaluating her performance and setting ever higher goals.—
Heide Janssen,
Orange County Register,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principled. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share