as in principle
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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Recent Examples of dictum
But for political principals to insist on editing procedures or outcomes is certainly inconsistent with the First Amendment’s dictum regarding the press and maintaining the media’s freedom from government interference.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2025
The next Democrat to become president, Bill Clinton, won election in 1992 in part by stressing his adherence to Reagan’s free-market dictums.
—Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, over the last quarter century, firms had already begun implementing the converse of Taylor’s dictum.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The Marquess of Queensberry rules for boxing, 12 dictum which (among other changes) separated fighters by weight class and mandated the use of padded gloves, were promulgated in 1867.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2025
The next Democrat to become president, Bill Clinton, won election in 1992 in part by stressing his adherence to Reagan’s free-market dictums.
—Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, over the last quarter century, firms had already begun implementing the converse of Taylor’s dictum.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The Marquess of Queensberry rules for boxing, 12 dictum which (among other changes) separated fighters by weight class and mandated the use of padded gloves, were promulgated in 1867.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictum
Noun
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Your values, your long-term goals and your decision principles.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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The conservative Supreme Court on Friday delayed ruling on President Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship, the bedrock principle that anyone born in the U.S. is automatically a citizen.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2025
Noun
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The charitable event, which launched in 2006 as an offshoot of the 24 Hour Plays project, has strict rules.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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Having a place for all your belongings is a non-negotiable organizing rule if your goal is to have a totally tidy home.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 June 2025
Noun
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The substantive parts of the state's Anti-SLAPP laws would survive and be utilized under the Erie doctrine.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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Clarkson said the institute also promoted religious doctrines that were considered unusual at the time of its founding, in 1970.—
Odette Yousef,
NPR,
21 June 2025
Noun
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Gödel showed that any system of axioms in mathematics permits the formulation of statements that can’t be shown to be true or false.—
Philip Ball,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
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Zermelo developed nine simple axioms, that is, unproven basic assumptions, on which everything is based in math.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Idaho Supreme Court says Sánchez vacated her seat In an opinion written by Justice Gregory Moeller, the Supreme Court disagreed with Sánchez on three essential points surrounding the Idaho law cited by the City Council.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
24 June 2025
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And American law, then as now, tends to favor legacy over hustle.—
Aron Solomon
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
Noun
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Kavanaugh also noted that the Administrative Procedures Act remains an avenue for plaintiffs to bring challenges to presidential policies on a nationwide basis.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
27 June 2025
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As technology continues to rapidly advance and new tools are released on a consistent basis, determining how to best tackle cybersecurity threats and a lack of regulations for AI use is essential to keeping sensitive information and valuable IP safe for the long term.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
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But, of course, seeing one of our best musical comediennes so deliciously live out the maxim that all is vanity is especially a treat for Hilty heads who’ve longed to see her in a Broadway production that lives up to the title of her former TV series.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
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La Fontaine’s focus on animals and penchant for moral maxims must have immediately attracted her.—
Susan Gubar
June 9,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictum. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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