dicta

noun

variants also dictums
plural of dictum
as in doctrines
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 dicta Safe and familiar as that trajectory might be in a post-#GirlBoss rom-com, Goldstein and Joe Kelly’s script adds a little spice into the mix by questioning the dictums of today’s office culture. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dicta
  1. doctrines
  2. rules
  3. dictates
  4. axioms
  5. laws
  6. maxims
  7. standards
  8. premises
Noun
  • The Arab Gulf states, meanwhile, are reworking their security doctrines.
    — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026
  • First, the law takes its time in responding to new technologies, figuring that new tools can be accommodated within existing ideas, rules, and doctrines.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of doctrines
Noun
  • Conflict-of-interest rules may bar some workers and their families from holding certain stocks; the Treasury has moved to ban ESG funds from accounts, but there’s no way for people to keep certain stocks out of their kids’ accounts.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • House Democrats are considering rules changes to mandate dues payments to serve on committees like Appropriations and Financial Services.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of rules
Noun
  • The walls are built of limestone blocks neither as large nor as narrow as tradition dictates.
    — Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • As Stephen Sondheim teaches us, (forgettable) content dictates (forgettable) form.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of dictates
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 axioms
Noun
  • Some voting laws have changed in Ohio since 2022, including the state eliminating its grace period for receiving mail ballots, a change that forces voters to return those ballots earlier.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Different views on the topic The Justice Department says its actions are intended to enforce federal voting laws and protect citizens’ ballots from dilution.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of laws
Noun
  • Groups of implicatures Grice identified three broad groups of implicatures generated through the observance, violation, or flouting of maxims in keeping with the cooperative principle.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The walls are robin’s-egg blue, painted with images of meditating skeletons and vaguely inspirational maxims.
    — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
Definition of maxims
Noun
  • As the industry kept growing, Congress added safety, noise and emissions standards to protect the communities living beneath the flight paths.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Staff are attentive and helpful without being overly formal, delivering the high standards of a larger hotel with the personal touch of a boutique property.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of standards
Noun
  • Owner Patric Hillenbrand currently lives on premises in the residence.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The company at the center of the probe was not identified, but its premises in Romania and several homes were searched.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of premises

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Cite this Entry

“Dicta.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dicta. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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