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
Some also incorporate basic price action principles, such as historical support and resistance, for additional context.
—
Karl Montevirgen, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
But Gaskins-Nathan abandoned those principles and her former colleagues at the Brennan Center and went for raw power.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
All are committed to the principles of the 1979 revolution and will rule with greater brutality given their lack of legitimacy.
—Abigail Williams, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
Markets shift and headlines fade, but the core principles of building long-term wealth remain constant.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for principle
Karl Montevirgen, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
But Gaskins-Nathan abandoned those principles and her former colleagues at the Brennan Center and went for raw power.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
All are committed to the principles of the 1979 revolution and will rule with greater brutality given their lack of legitimacy.
—Abigail Williams, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
Markets shift and headlines fade, but the core principles of building long-term wealth remain constant.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for principle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principle
Noun
-
Accessibility In accordance with Japan’s progressive rules for handicap accessibility, all floors are accessible with wide elevator access, lower level buttons reachable from wheelchairs, and wheelchair accessible bathrooms on the restaurant level.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The flight was intended for the training pilot to receive instruction in basic visual flight rules and included going over downtown Fort Lauderdale, the report said.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lemon said that might no longer be a dealbreaker for some candidates, but feels that as a Black man, he’d be held to a different standard.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Those navigating family negotiations can set kind standards that allow trust to grow naturally over time.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Critics, however, said the new law undermines democratic principles by replacing electoral legitimacy with presidential appointment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
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One dichotomy that’s set up in the book is between the language of poetry and the language of law.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Ohtani’s case, the deferrals brought the present-day value of his contract down to roughly $461 million.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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Their actions are a gut punch to American values and human decency.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principle. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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