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
-
Many of the same design principles apply when choosing the right style to suit your tastes.—
Beth Livesay,
AJC.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Two decades on, the #MeToo movement is still fresh fodder for cultural fare, even if its founding principles have fully fallen by the wayside.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On a call from Mexico on Thursday with reporters, Estrada Juarez, 42, said DACA was supposed to protect people like her who work hard and follow the rules.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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For details on other rules, like how many and what kinds of fish anglers can bring home, or where and how to get needed licenses and permits, visit the Unified Government’s Fishing and Boating website.—
Sofi Zeman
March 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Two people in the same local assembly may share similar doctrines but be at odds over the efficacy of modern scientific medicine, especially vaccines.—
Cory Anderson,
STAT,
6 Mar. 2026
-
To some, Midnight Hammer validated a doctrine of decisive action—limited in duration but maximal in force.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
5 Mar. 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
-
According to the website, states may exempt themselves from observing daylight saving time by state law in accordance with the Uniform Time Act, as amended.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
8 Mar. 2026
-
On at least six other occasions, detainees attempted to harm themselves while expressing suicidal ideations that resulted in 911 calls, according to records from the city of El Paso obtained under the Texas public information law.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With a continuous power supply in orbit, this technology could extend the lifespan and range of exploration missions, like future lunar bases and global space internet networks.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
France meanwhile has deployed Rafale fighter jets over the skies of the United Arab Emirates to protect its military bases there.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are three problems with this maxim.—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
-
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 11 Mar. 2026.
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