tenet

noun

Definition of tenetnext
as in principle
an idea that is very important to a group the central tenets of a religion He refused to abide by one of the basic tenets of the fashion industry.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tenet Some tenets, like staying closed on Sundays, will never change. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026 The exemptions currently in place must be based on religious tenets and practices. — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 To kneel at the altar of the market, to pray to the gods of the ultra-wealthy—these are not categorical values bestowed upon humanity, tenets beamed down to us from the cosmos. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 One of the basic tenets of environmental toxicology is that children are not small adults. — Rebecca Smullin Dawson, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tenet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenet
  1. principle
  2. rule
  3. standard
Noun
  • This principle is similar to how a fish uses its fins and tail to swim.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Wright Flyer stayed airborne for only seconds during its first flight, but the underlying engineering principles helped make powered aviation practical.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of principle
Noun
  • Voters in six states will soon decide whether to impose or expand voter identification requirements, including rules requiring mail voters to provide part of a driver’s license or Social Security number.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Some states, however, have chosen not to adopt the federal rule because of concerns about near-term revenue losses.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of rule
Noun
  • Although his roles were ostensibly romantic leads, Astaire had an almost radically unorthodox appeal—one that, in its urbanity, cosmopolitanism, elegance, and grace, challenged the prevailing standards for male movie stardom.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • If students are not meeting basic academic standards, though, state governments sometimes step in and take over the day-to-day operations of entire school districts.
    — Daniel H. Robinson, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of standard

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Cite this Entry

“Tenet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenet. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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