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
  • Jaylen Brown has an 18th-century harp sitting in his living room, and that harp rules.
    — Rembert Browne, Architectural Digest, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Even Disneyland has changed the rules around who can use the fast lanes, and that’s had really weird implications.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Nov. 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
  • The fire prompted stricter child labor laws and more mine rescue stations.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Federal and state laws prohibit the District from disclosing confidential personnel matters or personally identifiable student information.
    — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 13 Nov. 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
  • In the fall of 2024, NIST finalized its first three (later more) post-quantum cryptographic standards, with a migration roadmap targeting the removal of quantum-vulnerable public-key cryptography from its standards by 2035.
    — Peter Smulovics, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026
  • That undisclosed relationship was the reason The Athletic gave for finding her in violation of company standards.
    — Bobby Burack, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of standards
Noun
  • Generative AI tools tend to be complacent, validating user premises without questioning the underlying logic.
    — Marco Stefanini, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The letter warns that any attempt by Alterra to stop paying rent or abandon the premises without resolving its contractual obligations would be vigorously contested.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of premises

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dicks
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dictate
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Cite this Entry

“Dicta.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dicta. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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