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."
Related Words
Relevance
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
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
-
But under Cook, Apple has been willing to downplay these principles in the interest of the company’s bottom line.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Markets shift and headlines fade, but the core principles of building long-term wealth remain constant.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That means Gotham can tap into an additional $1 million in funds above the salary cap to pay her when the rule comes into effect on July 1.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The collection of new rules underwent several rounds of revisions to meet definitions in state law, address resident concerns and create a plan for enforcement, according to city staff.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The legal doctrine behind the RPA is obsolete as the black-and-white TV.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Its recommendations about establishing codes and new communication structures were regarded as endangering the free flow of information doctrine that was heavily supported by the richer industrial countries in the West.—
Stijn Joye,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Anyway, back to my proffered axiom.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Proof of this axiom comes from the IRS and its publication of the latest (2023) migration numbers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The internal documents were released only after the Union-Tribune pressed for the records, citing language in Atkins’ law.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Various states have laws that ban people under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms, and there are five pending Supreme Court petitions that challenge a variety of these laws across the country.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Following Dansby Swanson’s second of a season-high three walks, Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering got two strikes on Ballesteros with the bases loaded in the scoreless fifth.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Hartigan succeeds Jane Carpenter-Rock, who has led SAAM on an interim basis since September 2024, when Stephanie Stebich was removed as director and reassigned to an advisory role at the Smithsonian Institution.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
21 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
-
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 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
