precept

Synonym Chooser

How is the word precept distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of precept are canon, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, and statute. While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

In what contexts can canon take the place of precept?

The words canon and precept can be used in similar contexts, but canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

When might law be a better fit than precept?

Although the words law and precept have much in common, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

Where would ordinance be a reasonable alternative to precept?

While the synonyms ordinance and precept are close in meaning, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

When could regulation be used to replace precept?

The synonyms regulation and precept are sometimes interchangeable, but regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

When would rule be a good substitute for precept?

The words rule and precept are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

When can statute be used instead of precept?

The meanings of statute and precept largely overlap; however, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

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 precept As President Donald Trump announced a blizzard of trade-threat changes on the eve of his Aug. 1 deadline, one precept is essential. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 3 Aug. 2025 In fact, California seemed to care little about his nation’s history, precepts, rules. Literary Hub, 3 July 2025 In 2008, some of its precepts were enshrined in Ecuador’s constitution, a development that has helped to protect the country’s waterways—an example of policy that Macfarlane sees as a cause for optimism. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 This is considered an inductive form of learning, namely that by looking at lots of examples, the hope is to learn generalized precepts based on the examples. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precept
Noun
  • And among the primary challenges is learning new defensive principles.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Those principles felt like the right direction for the conception of Aatman.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This is a type of artificial intelligence that analyzes existing data to create new content such as text, images, audio and computer code, according to the New York Institute of Technology.
    Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Hackers did not access full credit card numbers or CCV codes, messages and activity on Discord beyond what users may have discussed with customer support, or passwords and authentication data, Discord says.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In other words, as Cleveland tore through the league last season, the players responded to most of the milestones reached with a collective shrug and worn axioms about nothing mattering until the playoffs.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • But is that axiom true if someone's only gone a few hours?
    David Oliver, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Anthropic updated the rule in July, allowing prospective hires to polish their resumes, cover letters, and applications with the advanced tech.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
  • But Takaichi stood out for her rhetoric, vowing to crack down on rule-breaking visitors and immigrants.
    Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Packages with values of $800 or less, which were previously allowed to enter the United States duty-free, are now subject to a range of tariffs and fees.
    Kayla Steinberg, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
  • So Spectrum now wants to encourage its customers to take advantage of those subscriptions, which the company says provides more than $125 per month in value, by launching a new Spectrum app store in its mobile app and on its website, which is meant to streamline that process.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And how does Simonson feel about my own Martini maxim: that it must be served with an odd number of olives, while an even number represents the apocalypse.
    Adam Morganstern, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The Sonicare brushing app is proof that this maxim couldn’t be truer.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.
    Vogue, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Colorado law defines stalking, in part, as when a person knowingly and repeatedly follows, approaches, contacts or communicates with another person in a way that causes that person serious emotional distress.
    Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precept. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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