Synonyms of canons

canons

noun

plural of canon

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

• doctrines
• theologies
• dogmas
• principles
• creeds
• tenets
• convictions
• beliefs
• philosophies
• ideologies
• precepts
• axioms
• canon laws
• symbols
• credos

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

• lists
• listings
• registers
• bibliographies
• catalogs
• rolls
• rosters
• schedules
• directories
• registries
• checklists
• chronologies
• roll calls
• menus
• tables
• compilations
• indexes
• agendas
• inventories
• enumerations
• payrolls
• compendiums
• dockets
• glossaries
• catalogues raisonnés
• calendars
• timetables
• manifests

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

• laws
• constitutions
• codes
• decalogues
• disciplines
• common law
• establishments
• legislations

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of canons

Following the ceremony at City Hall where the NBA champions were given keys to New York City, confetti canons showered the Knicks with paper in the team's colors. — Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 18 June 2026

As the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, Hawke has found acting success by bestowing her charms in several high-profile projects such as Stranger Things and Inside Out 2 — or, for advanced studies, recent films in the Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson canons. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 18 May 2026

Legend has it that the residents snuffed out their candles and strategically hung lanterns high in trees around the community so the enemy would think the buildings were on a hill and the canons would miss their targets in the early morning darkness. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 May 2026

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

But learning other canons isn’t a bad way to start. — 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