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
-
Our guiding principle throughout this process has been to secure a transaction that maximizes the value of our iconic assets and our century-old studio while delivering as much certainty as possible for our investors.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The idea was to leverage the property’s remote and pristine location, astounding views, access to a unique Nepali-Tibetan highland culture, and sustainable design principles to raise the bar for luxury trekking and experiential travel in Nepal – and the resulting refurbishment certainly delivers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
States depend on the money for recovery and mitigation, but over $14 billion had been stalled amid strict Homeland Security spending rules.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The broadcast signal remains governed by mid-20th century assumptions, while the digital ecosystem operates under an entirely different set of rules.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Defending against such weapons requires an even bigger number of interceptors — typical military doctrine calls for firing two or three at each incoming target to maximize the chances of hitting it.—
Gerry Doyle,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The doctrine required broadcasters to present contrasting viewpoints on controversial public issues.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The axiom about first getting one’s own house in order before pointing to the fault of others is appropriate here.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Under Raisi, Iranian security forces cracked down on demonstrations sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in the custody of Iran’s morality police after being arrested for allegedly violating the country’s mandatory hijab laws.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
At stake is a federal law that bars people who regularly use marijuana from legally owning guns.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Sailors loaded the bases after two batters were hit by pitches with a single in between them.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
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According to General Atomics, a notional mission profile envisions MQ-9B aircraft launching from friendly bases in the Western or Southern Pacific, transiting to designated hold points outside an adversary’s weapons engagement zone, and loitering there for extended periods.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 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 2 Mar. 2026.
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