as in rule
something (such as a belief or value) that helps a person know what is right and wrong and that influences their actions
He refused to participate on principle. It is against her principles to steal.
Related Words
Relevance
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 principle
McClintock issued a statement and took to the House floor to explain his vote, stressing the importance of the principles of free speech.
—
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 20 Sep. 2025
Our country’s economic dynamism is rooted in a few hallowed principles.
—Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Smile Hair Clinic’s basic principle is to offer personalized planning by listening to each patient’s story.
—Wyles Daniel, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
His ability to direct actors (having been one for many years) becomes an organizing principle in his pictures, which gives them a communitarian bent.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 20 Sep. 2025
Our country’s economic dynamism is rooted in a few hallowed principles.
—Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Smile Hair Clinic’s basic principle is to offer personalized planning by listening to each patient’s story.
—Wyles Daniel, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
His ability to direct actors (having been one for many years) becomes an organizing principle in his pictures, which gives them a communitarian bent.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principle
Noun
-
By using a digital signal system, Viljoen said there's less personal information that's shared with any website subject to age verification rules.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
20 Sep. 2025
-
John explains the rules to the first-timers, and the bracket begins — four matches at once.—
Matt Negrin,
Rolling Stone,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The backlash was swift, with figures like Senator Ted Cruz condemning the remarks and FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatening to scrutinize ABC’s broadcast standards.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Refereeing standards in general.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Within days, regulators determined the hospital had violated federal law.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Trump is set to sign an executive order later this week stating that the deal constitutes a qualified divestiture as required by the ban-or-sale law that passed last year, the official said.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The system yields superior thermoelectric performance and higher average ZT values than previously reported p-type AgCuTe materials.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
-
For mainstream buyers seeking a capable 16-inch system, the key is timing—Dell’s ever-spinning carousel of deals can turn this safe bet into a standout value, earning it our Editors' Choice award for midrange desktop replacements.—
Charles Jefferies,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principle. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share