Synonyms of principle

principle

noun

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.

Related Words

• rule
• law
• standard
• value
• belief
• tenet
• theory
• precept
• moral
• hypothesis
• proposition
• norm
• axiom
• basis
• doctrine
• thesis
• truism
• dogma
• foundation
• gospel
• verity
• inference
• declaration
• assertion
• canon
• dictum
• affirmation
• deduction
• assumption
• conclusion
• premise
• ground
• presumption
• presupposition
• postulate
• hypothetical
• given
• supposition
• if
• avouchment
• ipse dixit

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of principle

Jointly presented by France and the Republic of Korea and convened under the co-chairship of their respective presidents, the declaration sets out 15 principles and remains open for further signatures. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Business development may punish it more slowly, but the principle is the same. — Brian Ferdinand, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

To measure the equivalence principle at a quantum scale, the researchers turned to a piece of equipment called the Quantum Galileo Interferometer. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026

This partly came down to lawmakers’ interpretations of religious principles. — Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026