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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of principled
For those who still believe in a principled and generous United States, this is a traumatic moment of cognitive dissonance.
—
Malcolm Turnbull, Foreign Affairs, 6 June 2025
Beyond his remarkable achievements, Marc was an exceptional human being: thoughtful, principled and deeply committed to serving others.
—Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 5 June 2025
This is not about Musk taking a principled stand on the soaring debt or on any other political issue.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 6 June 2025
Whatever their partisan background, some actors in this system are motivated by principled commitments to democratic norms, while others pursue narrower partisan or personal agendas.
—Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principled
Malcolm Turnbull, Foreign Affairs, 6 June 2025
Beyond his remarkable achievements, Marc was an exceptional human being: thoughtful, principled and deeply committed to serving others.
—Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 5 June 2025
This is not about Musk taking a principled stand on the soaring debt or on any other political issue.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 6 June 2025
Whatever their partisan background, some actors in this system are motivated by principled commitments to democratic norms, while others pursue narrower partisan or personal agendas.
—Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principled
Adjective
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But the film’s pulse-pounding excitement is merely a feint to suggest how the rush for vengeance — no matter how justified — only brings about more killing, dragging down honorable intentions and leaving blood on everyone’s hands.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
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Milk was forced to resign from the Navy and receive an other than honorable discharge.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Such governance will likely include public data trusts, ethical review boards, and inclusive policy-making processes—all of which emphasize collective rather than individualistic solutions.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
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Invest in educator training that moves beyond basic tool familiarity to pedagogical integration and ethical considerations.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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The people of Maryland deserve an honest conversation — not one driven by fear or false urgency.—
Joanne Frederick,
Baltimore Sun,
23 June 2025
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What is your secret to remaining an innovator in your field? To be honest, I get inspired.—
Nigel Smith,
People.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Would this transformation disrupt the moral and civic foundations of the nation?—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
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The only real protection from moral injury… is moral courage.—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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There’s no denying that the second-generation Pontiac Firebird Trans Am muscle car tipped the scale toward kitsch, adding flares, spoilers, and a set of cringeworthy decals—available as of 1973 as a $55 option—to an otherwise respectable design.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
27 June 2025
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Zeller was taken ahead of the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steven Adams, a pair of big men who’ve had more than respectable careers.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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As any stunt coordinator or conscientious director will tell you, the trick is to make the stunt look dangerous but not be dangerous.—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
14 June 2025
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Most arbitrators are highly conscientious professionals who take their job very seriously.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principled. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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