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
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
Police used water canons and fired rounds of tear gas to push back the demonstrators, who hurled bottles, rocks and flares at them.
—CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
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
Police used water canons and fired rounds of tear gas to push back the demonstrators, who hurled bottles, rocks and flares at them.
—CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canons
Noun
-
The hysteria about a superior race, the insistence that all would be well if one insidious group was purged—those doctrines had been entirely defeated.—
Joan Silber,
New Yorker,
30 Nov. 2025
-
Fundamental philosophical and religious doctrines emerged in China, India, and the Middle East, along with Greece.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
16 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Many American students have internalized the idea that such lists are constructed and ideological—not simply because the selections tend to be white and male, but because claims of aesthetic value tell you more about the people making the judgments than about the objects themselves.—
Colton Valentine,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Will this weekend's storm find its way onto our historical lists?—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
State Attorney General Dana Nessel is suing four big oil companies under antitrust laws alleging a decades-long conspiracy to undermine the adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles that has led Michiganders to face higher energy costs and greater exposure to climate change.—
JC Reindl,
Freep.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Assessors statewide operate under the same laws and consistency matters.—
Jeffrey Prang,
Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Current resale listings for the Madison Square Garden shows span from $298 to upwards of $1,400.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The larger point here is that the new justice and the governor are strong advocates of literalism and originalism — legal doctrines holding that constitutions and laws should be read precisely as the authors wrote and understood them.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Most of Mamdani’s predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Fortune,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
About 87% of Connecticut ZIP codes meet that criteria, according to a CNBC analysis of Census Bureau data.—
Jessica Dickler,Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Curated by Blazy, who was named the creative director for the maison in 2024 following the departure of Virginie Viard, the collection signaled a new chapter for Chanel, and a fresh take on the French luxury fashion house’s design codes.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canons. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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