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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for dictum
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
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
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictum
Noun
-
That anything-for-a-laugh ethos is not a flaw in his canon but its animating principle.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
For businesses operating across borders, the rule of law is not an abstract principle.—
Maria Mendiluce,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
All of Russia is centered around Putin’s rule, and Putin is represented as the powerful male leader upon whose shoulders Russian greatness rests.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The rules of polite society would bar this particular group from fraternizing together in such a heedless manner, but the Bridgerton wrap party brought the crew together for what appears to have been a very good time indeed.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Legal challenges to constitutional doctrines underpinning the modern American administrative state wend their way through increasingly sympathetic courts, promising sweeping changes to the ways our most important institutions act.—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Raenah Birdlong, 33, who did not fire any shots, was charged under the provocative act doctrine, meaning her actions led to the death and wounding of the two men, authorities said.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But even that axiom doesn’t always hold.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
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These shows were built around heady concepts like a sequence, an axiom or the work of Pablo Picasso.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
17 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Provisions in the new law that go into effect this year aim to change that.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
While federal law makes Ross immune from being directly sued for assault or wrongful death in Good’s shooting, he could be named as a defendant – and end up in front of a jury – in a suit accusing him of denying Good’s civil rights.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Once completed, the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant will rank among China’s largest nuclear power bases.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Bondi and Blanche filed a response arguing that Massie and Khanna do not have a legal basis for the request.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That medical maxim, taught to physicians for ages, would serve Florida well if the Legislature were to adopt it.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
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Lobby or be lobbied over is a maxim local governments continue bringing to the table today.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
22 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictum. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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