1
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

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2
3
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

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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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of canon Over 14 months, Justinian’s commission reduced approximately 3 million lines of legal text to just 150,000, laying the foundation for the Western legal canon. Tanner H. Jones, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025 The year 1939 also saw the publication by Viking of James Joyce’s final novel, Finnegans Wake, surely one of the most difficult (and perhaps most unread) novels in the Western canon. Paul Slovak september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025 Leguizamo hopes that his play will help universalize the Latino experience, in the same way that works by Black playwrights like Lorraine Hansberry and August Wilson have become part of the theatrical canon. Raul A. Reyes, NBC news, 14 Sep. 2025 The games, which task Mario with defying gravity in an effort to save Princess Peach from Bowser, have been lauded by gamers as some of the best titles in the sprawling Super Mario canon. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for canon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canon
Noun
  • The destruction of the doctrine led directly to the creation of the right-wing talk-radio program The Rush Limbaugh Show the next year and, less than a decade later, of Fox News — a political movement giving direct rise to a fiercely partisan and sometimes fact-agnostic right-wing media.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The likely resolution lies in the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers.
    Tom Campbell, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The former station chief did not respond to a list of questions sent by ProPublica.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Because inkjets are the go-to print technology for graphic artists and photographers, up to and including professionals, there's a long list of special-purpose papers for enhancing both photos and graphics.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Safety information California law states that everyone under the age of 18 years must wear a bike helmet while riding a bicycle.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Vedra and other debt law experts said a high rate of default judgments indicates a system that favors the pursuers over the pursued — and increases the chances someone will be harmed by an erroneous bill.
    Rae Ellen Bichell, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As a teacher of theology, medicine, or law, she is not known.
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
  • In 1520 Luther himself had written a short but powerful tract, one of the three great Reformation writings from that year setting out his theology, titled The Freedom of a Christian.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The rest of the station’s local listings can be found on the Carolina Panthers Radio Network.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Bellot shares the listing with Andrew Cotton of Compass.
    Sandra Barrera, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Several issues remain to be resolved – most notably, Azerbaijan is demanding that Armenia changes its constitution – a move that would likely be rejected by Armenian voters in a referendum.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The supreme task before Prachanda was to give the new republic an inclusive constitution.
    Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Canon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canon. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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