Thesaurus results for DICTUMS

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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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

Noun

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
As a kid growing up in a religious household, Jean found the strict doctrines of Christianity unconvincing.

— Juliet Linderman, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Definition of doctrines

Noun

Three other three-judge panels on the 5th Circuit -- one in this case and two in an earlier one -- and two district courts have already agreed that rules for prescribing mifepristone are too loose.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
The revolutionary idea that the ruled rather than the rulers decide the rules emerged only haltingly.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of rules

Noun

The individual sensibilities of people who directed them were subordinated to dictates of the franchise.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
But rather than riding on the top of the mikoshi, or portable Shinto shrine, as tradition dictates, the heavily pregnant Kawata walked behind it.

— Reuters, NBC news, 20 July 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

As of March, 386 people had been arrested under the Beijing and Hong Kong national security laws, with 176 people and four companies convicted, Reuters reported, citing the local Security Bureau.

— Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026
Albert Ramdin, secretary general of the Organization of American States, said while the hemispheric body cannot compel countries to keep undocumented migrants when their laws do not permit it, as in the case of the termination of TPS.

— Gérard Maxineau, Miami Herald, 11 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

Inspectors have found hundreds of allegedly fictitious facilities, while at least 833 kitchens have been shut down for failing to meet hygiene and sanitation standards.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Both choices will serve students when faculty are clear about their ambitions and standards.

— Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 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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“Dicta.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dicta. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dicta

noun

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