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
His leadership style is both collaborative and hands-on, built on the same principles of trust and mentorship that guided his own career.
—
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Software follows the same principle.
—Sinéad O'Sullivan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
After years of positioning themselves against government shutdowns as a matter of principle, Senate Democrats are holding their position far more firmly than during a similar fight over immigration protections in 2018.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
The ultimate number of majority-Black districts in Louisiana is not only a question of constitutional principles applied to prevailing facts.
—Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Software follows the same principle.
—Sinéad O'Sullivan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
After years of positioning themselves against government shutdowns as a matter of principle, Senate Democrats are holding their position far more firmly than during a similar fight over immigration protections in 2018.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
The ultimate number of majority-Black districts in Louisiana is not only a question of constitutional principles applied to prevailing facts.
—Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principle
Noun
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Schools must follow state mandates on instructional hours, but states typically don’t set strict rules on how long a lunch period should be, so some principals whittle it down to twenty or twenty-five minutes.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
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According to the rules laid down by Nobel in his 1895 will, the prizes can only honor up to three people per award — a growing challenge given the collaborative nature of much scientific research.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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However, investment brokers must follow a suitability standard, which means that recommendations may be appropriate but not necessarily the best option.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Europe requires a different standard for fast charging.—
Rebecca A. Fannin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The bill lists several topics teachers could discuss, including the religious background of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (which included Protestants and Deists), President George Washington's farewell address and the biblical Ten Commandments' influence on American law.—
Jessie Balmert,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
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By law, half of the 20,000 available scholarships are required to go to families with no income cap, meaning even those making $1 million or more could qualify.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The company decreased total water use across its operations and value chain by 32 percent from its fiscal 2020 baseline.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
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Stewardship speaking, the organization’s total water usage, across its operations and value chain, dropped 32 percent against the 2020 baseline—some 12 percent above and beyond the 20 percent reduction goal.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principle. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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