dictum

noun

Definition of dictumnext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dictum The dictum is Beijing’s most substantive retaliation yet to Sanae Takaichi’s remarks. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025 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 This dictum—to honor and to applaud—brought me to Charleston this past December. — Latria Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for dictum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictum
  1. principle
  2. rule
  3. doctrine
  4. axiom
  5. law
  6. basis
  7. maxim
Noun
  • Garbage in, garbage out A longstanding foundational principle in computing and AI is that the quality of a system’s output is limited by the quality of its input.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • At the heart of the tradition is seva, a Sikh principle meaning selfless service.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of principle
Noun
  • Voters in six states will soon decide whether to impose or expand voter identification requirements, including rules requiring mail voters to provide part of a driver’s license or Social Security number.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Some states, however, have chosen not to adopt the federal rule because of concerns about near-term revenue losses.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of rule
Noun
  • At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth felt her baby leap in her womb, which signified that John had become sanctified and cleansed of original sin, as if by baptism, according to Catholic doctrine.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Police tactics are changing too Historically, France’s crowd control doctrine was all about keeping protesters at a distance.
    — Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of doctrine
Noun
  • The second axiom of quantum mechanics is called the measurement postulate.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • What motivates voters Extensive research confirms the axiom that a sense of civic duty is the strongest predictor of whether someone will vote.
    — Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of axiom
Noun
  • Florida law imposes limits on direct contributions to state candidates but generally allows political committees to accept unlimited contributions, subject to applicable reporting and other legal requirements.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Twenty-seven states — including all where Republicans control both the legislature and governor’s office — already have such laws.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • The defense trial accounts of bias were connected to Weeks’ rulings, which were within his discretion and not a basis for recusal, prosecutors argued.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The combination of large-scale pre-training, distributed post-training and feedback-driven learning after deployment forms the basis of GO-3 Preview.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of basis
Noun
  • The mindful alignment of body and mind is the guiding maxim of the spa.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • There’s little evidence that Ampere Analysis’ maxim, coined a couple of years ago – a contracting sector chasing a 75% of peak TV business – has not changed.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of maxim

Browse Nearby Words

dictions
dictum
did
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Cite this Entry

“Dictum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictum. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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