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
On Wednesday, Judge Burroughs gave Harvard a win that vindicated broad principles at stake for universities and the rule of law.
—
Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
In addition to the practical differences between the military and the police, there are philosophical differences derived from core principles of federalism, which refers to the division of power between the national and state governments.
—Luke William Hunt, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
These 10 guiding principles have been the lens by which the chamber has evaluated mass transit proposals, including House Bill 3438.
—Lou Sandoval, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
The principle is similar to how smartphones charge wirelessly.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
In addition to the practical differences between the military and the police, there are philosophical differences derived from core principles of federalism, which refers to the division of power between the national and state governments.
—Luke William Hunt, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
These 10 guiding principles have been the lens by which the chamber has evaluated mass transit proposals, including House Bill 3438.
—Lou Sandoval, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
The principle is similar to how smartphones charge wirelessly.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principle
Noun
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All in all, Southern small talk rules are a fickle thing to follow.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Lawmakers in many states have changed the rules in recent decades to protect winners from being targeted by criminals and unscrupulous people asking for money.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Twentty was founded to challenge that standard.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Act 237 of 2023, known as the LEARNS Act, mandated that the Education Department update its requirements for third grade promotion, with the 2025-26 school year being the first in which students must meet that standard.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The grants were allocated under President Joe Biden's signature Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, an anti-gun violence law signed after the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
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Aside from his signature 2021 criminal justice bill, Cooper signed legislation into law in 2020, allowing judges to reduce mandatory minimum sentences mandated by law for drug offenders.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At the club’s training ground in the Valdebebas district of the Spanish capital, both coaching staff and team-mates value the fact Ceballos can bring a style of play that is not so characteristic of the club’s other midfielders, more based on linking play.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Already hacked off by the renovation fiasco, the company’s longtime patrons pounced, accusing the corporation of betraying its history and values.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principle. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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