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
  • Nor can public authorities negotiate away basic principles whenever an organized group challenges them.
    — Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • But Washington has said that the principle of free navigation in international waters is inviolable, a stance echoed by Gulf states that rely on the strait for much of their trade.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of principle
Noun
  • Under today’s rules, someone Jeff and Julie’s age receives 70% of their full-retirement-age benefit by starting at 62, compared with 124% at 70.
    — Ray R. Harris, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Terrestrial Energy wants federal regulators to formally confirm that assembling this turbine wing falls outside federal nuclear construction rules.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of rule
Noun
  • Citing Catholic doctrine revised under his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo emphasized that the death penalty violates human dignity.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • For Ted Baehr, having a woman portray Aslan is a direct challenge to Christian doctrine on the nature of God.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of doctrine
Noun
  • In other words, in both mathematical and religious uses, an oracle provides answers to problems that could not be resolved within an existing system or set of axioms.
    — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The question fascinated David Hilbert, a renowned mathematician who had devoted much of his life to rebuilding physics on a sturdy foundation of crisp axioms.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of axiom
Noun
  • The Social Security Trustees project that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, which pays retirement and survivor benefits, will deplete its reserves in the fourth quarter of 2032 under current law.
    — Ray R. Harris, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Until a 1917 church law was revised in 1983, those who died by suicide were denied Catholic burials on consecrated grounds.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • While the 28-year-old hit 19 homers and stole 41 bases, his 98 wRC+ ranked 14th among qualified second basemen.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That concept forms the basis of membrane-free electrolysis, which avoids the membrane traditionally used to separate the two electrode reactions.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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