variants
also dictums
as in doctrines
formal
a statement or well-known remark that expresses an important idea, observation, or opinion
A doctor must follow the dictum of "First, do no harm."
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dicta
Noun
-
Most Anglican churches do not require belief in Catholic Marian doctrines such as the Immaculate Conception.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Mar. 2026 -
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
Noun
-
Federal rules required that phone carriers be able to track the locations of phones for emergency services; Altman struck deals with carriers to tap these capabilities for the company’s use.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The rules are riddled with conditional exemptions that even experienced attorneys struggle to interpret.—
Tom Manzo,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This cut comes with dictates—jaw-length or shorter, most often paired with bangs—but also leaves room for personalized play.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The girls decide to go and look for a traditional skirt for Qihuo to commemorate this rite of passage, as tradition dictates.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His preference would be to find simpler axioms for quantum mechanics — intuitive principles that would let theorists re-derive the theory in a new form altogether.—
Daniel Garisto,
Quanta Magazine,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In other words, as Cleveland tore through the league last season, the players responded to most of the milestones reached with a collective shrug and worn axioms about nothing mattering until the playoffs.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The ban does not apply in Macao and Hong Kong — where the BTS tour lands in 2027 — because both are special regions in China with their own governments and laws.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This drop is partly the result of many smoking laws enacted in the past 50 years.—
Marie Helweg-Larsen,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
By now, decades into Americans’ pursuit of cooking as a mainstream hobby, certain maxims have become near-law among food lovers.—
Emily Heil,
Washington Post,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe anyone planning long journeys should take those maxims as advice anyhow.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The two-lane bridge is too narrow by modern standards, with just 1 foot of shoulder on each side.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
-
But they are certified by California’s law enforcement standards agency.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
They had been holed up in French diplomatic premises in Iran since their release from prison in November.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
7 Apr. 2026
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The proposal does not allow taking drinks to the beach and boardwalk; the alcohol must be consumed on the business' premises.—
Jennifer McLogan,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Dicta.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dicta. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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