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
-
The same principle should guide any arrangement over the Strait of Hormuz.—
Comfort Ero,
Time,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Since 2018, the Day4Empathy reinforces Ebert’s embrace of the universal principles of empathy, humility, compassion and paying acts of kindness forward, Chaz Ebert said.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility In accordance with Japan’s progressive rules for handicap accessibility, all floors are accessible with wide elevator access, lower level buttons reachable from wheelchairs, and wheelchair accessible bathrooms on the restaurant level.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The flight was intended for the training pilot to receive instruction in basic visual flight rules and included going over downtown Fort Lauderdale, the report said.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The archbishop was referring to the Catholic Church’s doctrine on when Christians can participate in and support a war.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Apr. 2026
-
God gives believers the Holy Spirit for discernment and the authority of Scripture for testing doctrine.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Proof of this axiom comes from the IRS and its publication of the latest (2023) migration numbers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Now that Chalamet is also dealing with the headache of his remarks last month to Matthew McConaughey about the lack of impact that ballet and opera have on modern culture, the first and most obvious lesson is that, to quote the old axiom, absence makes the heart grow fonder.—
Josh Spiegel,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Critics, however, said the new law undermines democratic principles by replacing electoral legitimacy with presidential appointment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
One dichotomy that’s set up in the book is between the language of poetry and the language of law.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Alvarado loaded the bases before Guel’s hit and then added 2 runs on 2 errors by the Wildcats.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Cruises are available on a space-available basis only.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the maxim applies in a different way in the documentary Fork in the Road, which made its world premiere Saturday at the Sonoma International Film Festival in California’s wine country.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2026
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By now, decades into Americans’ pursuit of cooking as a mainstream hobby, certain maxims have become near-law among food lovers.—
Emily Heil,
Washington Post,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictum. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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