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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dictum
The majority opinion in Pierce v. Society of Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary included a now-famous dictum about parents’ rights to shape their children’s upbringing.
—
Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
At a Vanity Fair party, Diddy admonished Nash because Cassie’s hair was not in keeping with his dictum.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 28 May 2025
Those organizing in opposition to pipelines in South Dakota, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Rhode Island carry the dictum on their lips.
—Elizabeth Rush, The Atlantic, 26 May 2025
Ultimately, the old dictum still stands – Garbage in, garbage out.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
At a Vanity Fair party, Diddy admonished Nash because Cassie’s hair was not in keeping with his dictum.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 28 May 2025
Those organizing in opposition to pipelines in South Dakota, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Rhode Island carry the dictum on their lips.
—Elizabeth Rush, The Atlantic, 26 May 2025
Ultimately, the old dictum still stands – Garbage in, garbage out.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictum
Noun
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Another core principle of this season has been uncertainty and turbulence, which is now carrying through to the offseason.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
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Limited exceptions will be made for good cause, like caring for young children and health issues, but the principle is clear—those who can work, should.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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After wrestling control of Long Island from the Dutch, British rule went mostly unchallenged for over a century before the region played host to the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
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The mother of a star high school wide receiver has sued the Ohio High School Athletic Association over a prohibition on high school athletes signing NIL deals, but the case might be resolved by a rule change and, if not, would face hurdles.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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So those would be classic reliance interests in the terms of the law, in terms of legal doctrine.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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The doctrine instructs that an erroneous fact in a story is not, by itself, sufficient for a defamation claim.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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But is that axiom true if someone's only gone a few hours?—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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According to Arkansas law, all drain plugs must be removed from your boat at the boat ramp upon the conclusion of your outing and during transport.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
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Larson argued the amendment would limit the state's ability to enact more restrictive gun laws in the future.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Corps officials will evaluate each request on a case by case basis.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
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Each of the American automakers is expected to report double-digit declines in adjusted earnings per share but remain profitable on an adjusted basis, according to analyst estimates compiled by LSEG.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And how does Simonson feel about my own Martini maxim: that it must be served with an odd number of olives, while an even number represents the apocalypse.—
Adam Morganstern,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Sonicare brushing app is proof that this maxim couldn’t be truer.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictum. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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