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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
  • Among them was the revival of medieval doctrines of just war, which subordinated contractual obligations to unilateral claims of moral authority—doctrines that resurfaced during the war on terror to justify pre-emptive attacks and torture.
    — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Greece sees the system as central to modernizing its forces amid tensions with NATO neighbor Turkey, embracing new doctrines to counter ballistic missiles, drones, cyber threats and other evolving forms of warfare.
    — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of doctrines
Noun
  • Where the power concentrates, in the White House, there is no desire to lay down stricter rules.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Here are four rules leaders should consider as reputation management enters this new era.
    — Evan Nierman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of rules
Noun
  • At the heart of Wang’s vision for WWM is a model where the public dictates which stories are worth further exploration.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The individual sensibilities of people who directed them were subordinated to dictates of the franchise.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of dictates
Noun
  • 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
  • Yes, the Greeks made remarkable advances in mathematics, but mostly in geometry, which is about solid, stable objects and uses a strict hierarchy of axioms, rules, and procedures—very Platonic.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of axioms
Noun
  • Their laws prescribed the death penalty for anyone who helped a stranger; after giving bread to a poor man, Lot’s daughter was immolated on a pyre.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Friday's order aims to accelerate implementation of both laws.
    — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of laws
Noun
  • The walls are robin’s-egg blue, painted with images of meditating skeletons and vaguely inspirational maxims.
    — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 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
Definition of maxims
Noun
  • Brand standards ensure spectacular services and top notch amenities and comfort.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Residents will have a chance to weigh in Saturday during a community meeting for the downtown Lincoln master plan and its objective design and development standards.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of standards
Noun
  • Russian forces also repeatedly struck a shopping center in the southern Mykolaiv region with drones overnight, damaging retail premises and sparking fires, Ukraine’s state emergency services said.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
  • As the quartet’s planning proceeds, complete with a Lego model of the bank premises, Hamza’s wrangling for a larger share of the haul is relentless.
    — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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