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.
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Recent Examples of principle
Although, again, the money’s not the guiding principle here.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
So what are the principles on which these proto-citizens, in their eukaryotic state, will agree?
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
Harry agreed about this in principle.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
The 12-step program is based on Biblical principles.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for principle
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
So what are the principles on which these proto-citizens, in their eukaryotic state, will agree?
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
Harry agreed about this in principle.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
The 12-step program is based on Biblical principles.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for principle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principle
Noun
-
Under the rules of the International Olympic Committee and IAAF (now World Athletics), track and field’s global governing body, athletes were prohibited from receiving money for their sport.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Both populous nations had formerly been under British colonial rule and were now independent; the British government, led by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, had an interest in maintaining good relations.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
So, in a general process of professionalization that changed the way that music was experienced, raising standards while widening the gap between expert and amateur, the mandolin fell out of fashion.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Brent crude oil, the international standard, has gone from roughly $70 per barrel before the war in late February to more than $119 at times.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The store is owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community on their tribal land and licensed under their cannabis ordinance, which sets rules and regulations consistent with Minnesota laws, according the tribe.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
But Arizona law remains unchanged.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Midwest crop land values have increased.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
On top of that, commercial values dropped last year, as did apartment values, leaving homeowners shouldering more of the cost of running the city.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principle. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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