Thesaurus
To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Synonyms of principle
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.
Synonyms & Near Synonyms for principle
- assumption,
- given,
- hypothetical,
- if,
- postulate,
- premise
- (also premiss),
- presumption,
- presupposition,
- supposition
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More about principle
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
'Affect' vs.'Effect' and 9 More Pairs...
'Affect' vs.'Effect' and 9 More Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
The words that confuse people the most
Thesaurus Entries near principle
See More Nearby EntriesCite this Entry
“Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principle. Accessed 7 Aug. 2020.
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on principle
What made you want to look up principle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Original Meanings Quiz
- Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share principle
Time Traveler for principle
The first known use of principle was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century