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."
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dictum
However, dictums from the C-suite won’t work to sustain this ideal; shows of authority make employees feel more cautious.
—
Michael Morris, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2024
This all sounds promising for Geagea, except that his strategy will have to contend with the age-old Lebanese dictum that national political appointments in Lebanon are seldom, if ever, purely a domestic matter.
—Bilal Y. Saab, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2016
The Marquess of Queensberry rules for boxing, 12 dictum which (among other changes) separated fighters by weight class and mandated the use of padded gloves, were promulgated in 1867.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The party that once embraced President Ronald Reagan’s campaign dictum that the government was the problem now enthusiastically embraces the government as a political weapon.
—Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Michael Morris, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2024
This all sounds promising for Geagea, except that his strategy will have to contend with the age-old Lebanese dictum that national political appointments in Lebanon are seldom, if ever, purely a domestic matter.
—Bilal Y. Saab, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2016
The Marquess of Queensberry rules for boxing, 12 dictum which (among other changes) separated fighters by weight class and mandated the use of padded gloves, were promulgated in 1867.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The party that once embraced President Ronald Reagan’s campaign dictum that the government was the problem now enthusiastically embraces the government as a political weapon.
—Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictum
Noun
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The good news is that businesses can design AI systems that approximate Rawls' fairness principles.—
Nate Bennett,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Tottenham abandoned those principles against the champions-in-waiting, offering gifts in dangerous areas from which the Liverpool attackers profited.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In the 13th century, the papacy was vacant for almost three years before the election of Gregory X, who tightened up conclave rules.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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The author of that rule change, Garth Glissman, is an SEC associate commissioner and driving force behind the effort to pass a similar rule for men’s college hoops.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Church doctrine calls for the pope to be buried four to six days after his death, unless there are extenuating circumstances.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Conservative Catholics in America charged that Francis’ doctrine of inclusion was damaging the church and depriving the faithful.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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It’s become a political axiom of sorts that policies championed largely by Democratic city leaders over the past half decade have resulted in rising crime levels.—
Christopher S. Warshaw,
The Conversation,
18 Apr. 2025
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Donald Trump and his gleeful chainsaw-wielding quasi-cabinet department leader Elon Musk should be made aware that the same axiom applies to geopolitics.—
Letters to the editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The state's Senate approved the proposal, which is modeled after Arizona’s law, on April 1.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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Prosecution: Autism doesn’t prevent death penalty in any state Arguments that other states, such as Ohio and Kentucky, expanded their laws to bar people with serious mental illness from facing the death penalty don’t apply, Hippler said.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Pick up a regular post of substance where people can come to learn from you, trust you and be influenced by you on a consistent basis.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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But after searching for the better part of five years, Reddy has hired a new doctor on a half-time basis, and another is coming on board this June.—
Bernard J. Wolfson and Vanessa G. Sánchez,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But my one hard-and-fast cooking maxim is: Always wash your blender, immediately.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
7 Apr. 2025
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Is there one particular maxim or comment that’s your favorite?—
Mark Holgate,
Vogue,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictum. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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