1
as in honorable
following the accepted rules of moral conduct
a high-principled art expert who always told clients what he honestly thought their items were worth
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ethical
guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong
a politician widely respected for her principled behavior in every office she ever held
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of principled
Both the principled zealotry of Douglas and the compromise-forging acumen of Dirksen are urgently needed if our communities and country will successfully tackle the formidable challenges that confront us.
—
John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The movie seems keen to the now-ancient and passé concept of selling out, though not terribly interested in actually reviving or adopting Gen X’s principled superstition against it.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
That history complicates any attempt to frame the current lawsuit as purely principled IP defense rather than competitive positioning.
—Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
And then there are different kind of more principled views.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for principled
John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The movie seems keen to the now-ancient and passé concept of selling out, though not terribly interested in actually reviving or adopting Gen X’s principled superstition against it.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
That history complicates any attempt to frame the current lawsuit as purely principled IP defense rather than competitive positioning.
—Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
And then there are different kind of more principled views.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for principled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principled
Adjective
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Though the art that first spoke to me was honest and honorable depictions of Black life, I have since been inspired, gutted and changed by artists from all walks of life.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Democratic Congressman Mike Thompson called LaMalfa an honorable public servant and recounted the two working together to deliver help for wildfire victims.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Karp’s defense of Epstein raises ethical and professional questions.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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The party is attempting to establish itself as the responsible anchor of a fragile coalition — a role that demands ethical clarity, internal coherence, and strategic restraint.—
Sam Mkokeli,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But these songs are also honest, sometimes despite themselves, about the feelings of impotence associated with watching history play out on a screen.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
-
At least Mamdani was honest and campaigned as a socialist.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Tall, affectionate and funny, Charles moved through life demanding moral clarity, which could be intimidating, Savannah said.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Benedict Cumberbatch will undoubtedly bring the intelligence, depth, and moral complexity this role demands.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That said, Bailey has put together a respectable season at a very young age.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Johnny Cash played Folsom Prison when respectable artists wouldn’t go near convicts.—
Richard P. Weigand,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Many states are new enacting or widening already broad religious and conscientious exemptions.—
Richard Hughes IV,
STAT,
12 Jan. 2026
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Also, remain mindful and conscientious of how our actions affect those beyond ourselves.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principled. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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