Synonyms of principle

principle

noun

as in rule

something (such as a belief or value) that helps a person know what is right and wrong and that influences their actions

He refused to participate on principle.

It is against her principles to steal.

Related Words

• rule
• standard
• law
• value
• belief
• tenet
• theory
• precept
• moral
• hypothesis
• proposition
• norm
• axiom
• basis
• doctrine
• thesis
• truism
• dogma
• foundation
• gospel
• verity
• inference
• declaration
• assertion
• canon
• dictum
• affirmation
• deduction
• assumption
• premise
• conclusion
• ground
• presumption
• presupposition
• postulate
• hypothetical
• given
• supposition
• if
• avouchment
• ipse dixit

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of principle

Her words might as well be the director’s own statement of principles. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 July 2026

That principle — sacrificing to help those not doing so well — still underpins the region’s business model. — Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Adjustments to parameters such as hole diameter, slope thickness, and the angle of the central foam allow the device to detect varying levels of force without changing its underlying operating principle. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026

Following the revision of ICOM’s definition of a museum, which faced controversy for not including terms such as decolonization, restitution, and repatriation, the new code condenses the eight principles of the 2004 code into five. — News Desk, Artforum, 13 July 2026