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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canons
The attack was massive, involving nearly 50,000 infantry and cavalry as well as 58 canons.
—
Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
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
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
Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
When citizens insist on shaping the basic terms of social life by appealing to premises that others cannot reasonably be expected to accept—revelation, doctrines of transcendence, private moral visions—the result is not a purer politics but a dangerously brittle one.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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This theology leaves little room for the restraint that characterized earlier security doctrines.—
Arie Perliger,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sync calendars from Apple, Google, and Outlook into a unified view, and personalize your home screen with shortcuts, lists, time and weather.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
That forced him to adjust his shooting process, relying on longer takes and shorter shot lists to maximize everyone’s time to experiment.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, the rollout of India’s new four labor codes, intended to replace a patchwork of older laws, formally began on April 1, though implementation depends on individual states finalizing their own rules.—
Mayu Saini,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Tybee Island has an open container ordinance, so drinks can be taken out onto the beach in to-go cups, but public intoxication laws will also be enforced.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That was nearly six times the amount raised and three times the number of new listings in the same period last year, KPMG said.—
Justina Lee,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
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All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Homeowner preferences hard-coded into state constitutions decades ago now further sustain the gerontocracy.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The company develops distinctive film and television projects that bridge Japan and the United States — a mission reflected in its name, which combines the countries’ calling codes (+1 and +81).—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
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While specific safety requirements for the 145-foot ship were not known, federal and international codes call for cargo ships to have life rafts stocked with food and water.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canons. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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