Thesaurus results for CANON

Q: How is the word 'canon' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of canon are law , ordinance , precept , regulation , rule , and statute . While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide. // the canons of good taste

Q: When might 'law' be a better fit than 'canon'?

While in some cases nearly identical to canon , law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority. // obey the law

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ordinance' instead of 'canon'?

The meanings of ordinance and canon largely overlap; however, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality. // a city ordinance

Q: When can 'precept' be used instead of 'canon'?

The synonyms precept and canon are sometimes interchangeable, but precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching. // the precepts of effective writing

Q: In what contexts can 'regulation' take the place of 'canon'?

Although the words regulation and canon have much in common, regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system. // regulations affecting nuclear power plants

Q: When would 'rule' be a good substitute for 'canon'?

In some situations, the words rule and canon are roughly equivalent. However, rule applies to more restricted or specific situations. // the rules of the game

Q: When could 'statute' be used to replace 'canon'?

While the synonyms statute and canon are close in meaning, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body. // a statute requiring the use of seat belts

canon

noun

ˈka-nən

Definition of canon next

as in doctrine

a statement or body of statements concerning faith or morals proclaimed by a church members of the church must abide by its canons

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in list

a record of a series of items (as names or titles) usually arranged according to some system the canon of plays that are attributed to William Shakespeare

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in law

a collection or system of rules of conduct the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility is a lawyer's canon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word canon distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of canon are law, ordinance, precept, regulation, rule, and statute. While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

When might law be a better fit than canon?

While in some cases nearly identical to canon, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

When is it sensible to use ordinance instead of canon?

The meanings of ordinance and canon largely overlap; however, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

When can precept be used instead of canon?

The synonyms precept and canon are sometimes interchangeable, but precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

In what contexts can regulation take the place of canon?

Although the words regulation and canon have much in common, regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

When would rule be a good substitute for canon?

In some situations, the words rule and canon are roughly equivalent. However, rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

When could statute be used to replace canon?

While the synonyms statute and canon are close in meaning, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

Examples of canon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That presented a perfect opportunity for The Rings of Power to fill a big blank spot in the canon. —

EW.com, 6 Aug. 2024 In the Housewives canon, RHONJ has always taken things to the extreme, from Giudice’s infamous table flip in Season One to her 11-month stint in prison for fraud in 2015. —

Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2024 Their enormous influence, then and now, has inspired an epistolary tradition in the Black literary canon. —

Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2024 The novel, which is inspired by Highsmith’s own experiences working at Bloomingdale’s in her 20s, is a foundational text in the lesbian romance canon. —

Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for canon

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.