1
as in doctrines
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
2
as in lists
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
3
as in laws
a collection or system of rules of conduct
the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility is a lawyer's canon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canons
Solak continued, saying that Smith’s arrest would be investigated by diocese officials and follow church canons that handle clergy misconduct.
—
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
The Stockholm Series reminded me that one function of canons is to create solidarity.
—Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Both male and female idols (and the crowds) are drenched by water canons throughout the festival.
—Jae-Ha Kim, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2025
It is eventually revealed that Kawaji was also the man who gave the order to fire canons at the Battle of Toba–Fushimi, killing samurai on both sides after the outcome had been decided.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
There are no canons of forgery in Quintilian’s Institutes or Cicero.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Confetti canons shot out glittering rainbows, and Derevjanik began to dance around, shouting in glee.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
On Tuesday, the District Administration Office in Kathmandu said government forces used water canons, tear gas, and rubber bullets in an attempt to clamp down on protests.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Peppard believes that before organizations can deliver on the transformational potential of AI, or indeed any transformational technology, there are multiple canons defining the dominant orthodoxy that must be tackled head-on.
—Randy Bean, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
The Stockholm Series reminded me that one function of canons is to create solidarity.
—Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Both male and female idols (and the crowds) are drenched by water canons throughout the festival.
—Jae-Ha Kim, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2025
It is eventually revealed that Kawaji was also the man who gave the order to fire canons at the Battle of Toba–Fushimi, killing samurai on both sides after the outcome had been decided.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
There are no canons of forgery in Quintilian’s Institutes or Cicero.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Confetti canons shot out glittering rainbows, and Derevjanik began to dance around, shouting in glee.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
On Tuesday, the District Administration Office in Kathmandu said government forces used water canons, tear gas, and rubber bullets in an attempt to clamp down on protests.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Peppard believes that before organizations can deliver on the transformational potential of AI, or indeed any transformational technology, there are multiple canons defining the dominant orthodoxy that must be tackled head-on.
—Randy Bean, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canons
Noun
-
Two people in the same local assembly may share similar doctrines but be at odds over the efficacy of modern scientific medicine, especially vaccines.—
Cory Anderson,
STAT,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Prevailing economic doctrines proved flawed.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In addition, there are separate lists for typhoons in the western Pacific and tropical cyclones in Australia and the Indian Ocean.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
It’s made with organic reishi and tremella mushrooms, rhodiola, and saffron, as well as magnesium and L-theanine to help arm you against never-ending to-do lists, quarterly reviews, or daily stress.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wang said her American citizenship was made possible by the 14th Amendment’s birthright citizenship guarantee and by changes to laws that had restricted Asian immigration.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
With that in mind, Egbert didn’t share her colleagues’ discomfort with pre-empting local laws.—
Mark Dee
March 28,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The recent wave of quantum listings comes at a tumultuous time for global markets, as conflict in the Middle East roils investor confidence, especially in risky, speculative assets like quantum companies.—
Dylan Butts,Matthew Chin,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Leaders of several former Soviet republics, including Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, have previously used new or amended constitutions to revise statutory term limits.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Founding Father James Madison included this important bulwark against governmental overreaching in his introductory draft of the Bill of Rights, and it was then incorporated into the United States Constitution and many of the individual state constitutions.—
Barbara Jaffe,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His spring 2026 debut struck the perfect balance between heritage and modernity, drawing from the maison’s most iconic codes—tweed, camellias, and classic tailoring—while subtly reframing them through a lens honed during his tenure at Bottega Veneta.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The Senate's version of the bill would rely on QR codes instead of adding icons directly to menus, a difference that supporters say could make the information harder to access.—
Nicky Zizaza,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canons. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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