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
While home freezers don't reach the extreme speeds of industrial units, the basic principle remains the same.
—
Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 11 Jan. 2026
This principle became my guide to confession.
—Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
This principle explains the connection between the sink, range, and refrigerator.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Leroux's guiding principle was a gradual trickling in of opulence, not instant wealth.
—Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for principle
Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 11 Jan. 2026
This principle became my guide to confession.
—Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
This principle explains the connection between the sink, range, and refrigerator.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Leroux's guiding principle was a gradual trickling in of opulence, not instant wealth.
—Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for principle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principle
Noun
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Coupang has also been facing pressure from regulators since 2024, when it was fined more than $100 million for allegedly violating the country’s monopoly rules.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
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In response to the San Bruno tragedy, the California Public Utilities Commission, which is investigating the latest explosion, began fining gas companies and utilities for violating state and federal gas safety rules.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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An example of a standard in summer is a sherbert series featuring lactose and vanilla.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
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Recent data showed that police response is becoming faster, but still lags behind California standards.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The board’s unanimous vote came weeks after pension-plan actuaries confirmed the program would be cost-neutral, as state law requires.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
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The opposing side has said that Idaho’s law targets and harms trans women and girls and that Hecox, specifically, mitigated any potential advantages through hormone treatments.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Olathe’s trajectory mirrors what’s happening across Johnson County — which saw more than 90% of the homes go up in value in 2024, with the average home prices sitting at $508,000 and average sale price at $557,000.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
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Cultural, linguistic, and value-based assimilation challenges arise, potentially altering national identities and eroding civilizational confidence.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principle. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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