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 today the dictum applies to Israel, as well.
—
Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2025
Not that Wolfe’s dictum was totally off the mark.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
WarGames and The Matrix, each in its own quite different way, follow the classic dictum that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
—Jeremy Dauber, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2025
On the first day of his term, Trump signed an executive order that recognized two sexes, male and female, a dictum that has moved across all departments under his jurisdiction.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2025
Not that Wolfe’s dictum was totally off the mark.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
WarGames and The Matrix, each in its own quite different way, follow the classic dictum that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
—Jeremy Dauber, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2025
On the first day of his term, Trump signed an executive order that recognized two sexes, male and female, a dictum that has moved across all departments under his jurisdiction.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictum
Noun
-
The legislative blueprint outlines a half-dozen guiding principles for lawmakers, focusing on protecting children, preventing electricity costs from surging, respecting intellectual property rights, preventing censorship and educating Americans on using the technology.—
SEUNG MIN KIM,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
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The idea that yogurt should never be eaten at night isn’t strongly supported by Western principles but likely from Ayurveda, says Manaker.—
Jahnavi Rapaka,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The tide, however, has turned around since 2024 after former ECB President Mario Draghi’s report for the European Commission, which argued that Europe’s economy is being held back by outdated competition rules.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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But the dispute is ultimately about more than one primary, one Senate rule, or one piece of legislation.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Talks on the Hindu philosophical doctrine of Vedanta are part of the experience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The agreement clarifies that the court denied Morris’ motion to dismiss based on the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine.—
Alexa Shrake,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Now that Chalamet is also dealing with the headache of his remarks last month to Matthew McConaughey about the lack of impact that ballet and opera have on modern culture, the first and most obvious lesson is that, to quote the old axiom, absence makes the heart grow fonder.—
Josh Spiegel,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
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Admittedly, that axiom is being tested in a few locations this year, whether in Philadelphia (VJ Edgecombe, 76ers), Charlotte (Kon Knueppel, Hornets) or Boston (Hugo González, Celtics).—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a March 13 reply brief, the government argued that federal law allows the attorney general to make successive 120-day interim appointments when vacancies persist.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Following his military service, Mueller earned a law degree from the University of Virginia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Tax Foundation projects Van Hollen’s plan would cost the Treasury just under $180 billion over 10 years on a dynamic basis.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
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And then, after Eugenio Suarez squared up a Garrett Whitlock changeup near the middle of the strike zone and sent it to left-center field, the 5-7, 150-pound Sanoja bolted around the bases.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are three problems with this maxim.—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
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Still, that leaves a substantial audience who will find much to enjoy in this grisly yet sensitive take on the old maxim that every baby is different.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictum. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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