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
This involved iterative global surveys and consensus workshops to identify key principles, acceptable terminology and ways to implement changes that are feasible and easily communicated.
—
Melanie Cree, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
Four of these principles are being implemented in the plot and managed by Davis.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The 12-step program is based on Biblical principles.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Now, in 2026, the same principle will either make or break companies seeking to transform themselves with AI.
—Julia Dhar, Fortune, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for principle
Melanie Cree, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
Four of these principles are being implemented in the plot and managed by Davis.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The 12-step program is based on Biblical principles.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Now, in 2026, the same principle will either make or break companies seeking to transform themselves with AI.
—Julia Dhar, Fortune, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for principle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principle
Noun
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Metro Transit now has 121 police officers, 49 community service officers and over 130 transit rider investment program, or TRIP, agents in charge of checking fares and making sure riders follow the rules.—
Joe Van Ryn,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
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Parking, rules and important things to know Passes for entry can be purchased on the KC Pride website or at the gate using cash or card.—
Sophie Lindberg,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Noun
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The complaint alleges the defendants failed to manufacture, supply and serve food safe for human consumption and violated federal food safety laws and USDA performance standards governing ground beef.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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For more than six months, the Avs set the standard in the NHL this season.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The complaint alleges the defendants failed to manufacture, supply and serve food safe for human consumption and violated federal food safety laws and USDA performance standards governing ground beef.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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Observers link these conflicts to Abiy’s push away from Ethiopia’s longstanding system of ethnic federalism, which had allowed diverse regional states to draft their own laws and maintain local armies.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Winger and Dawkins arrived in 2023, and one of the underlying principles of their plan was, and remains, to correctly evaluate their own players and make those evaluations before their players lost their trade value.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
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The answer increasingly lies not in export volume alone, but in supply chain integration, local collaboration, sustainability standards and long-term strategic value.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principle. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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