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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of principle
But questions are now being asked about just how carefully the MPAA followed its own anti-piracy principles when designing the campaign.
—
ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2025
Green, an expert on the Blaine Amendment, has written that the principle of withholding public funding from religious institutions predates the 19th-century influx of Catholic immigrants that drove discrimination.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
But this decision is based on a strict 'country of origin' principle.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Yet the republic endured because of its central organizing principle: the separation of powers.
—Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2025
Green, an expert on the Blaine Amendment, has written that the principle of withholding public funding from religious institutions predates the 19th-century influx of Catholic immigrants that drove discrimination.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
But this decision is based on a strict 'country of origin' principle.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Yet the republic endured because of its central organizing principle: the separation of powers.
—Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principle
Noun
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In the 13th century, the papacy was vacant for almost three years before the election of Gregory X, who tightened up conclave rules.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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The author of that rule change, Garth Glissman, is an SEC associate commissioner and driving force behind the effort to pass a similar rule for men’s college hoops.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Trade enforcement experts are warning international shipping will experience massive delays as both customs brokers and U.S. customs officials transition to the more rigorous vetting standards.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
2 May 2025
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Not only do these five options live up to our (very) high standards, but they have been tested over time, throughout all seasons and weather, and in different parts of the country (including rainy Seattle, WA).—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 May 2025
Noun
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The Mahsa movement brought changes within society, but in Iran’s official cinema, which operates under the supervision of the government, censorship laws remain firmly in place.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
5 May 2025
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New laws in five states Others have followed Trump and Kennedy's lead.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
Noun
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His comments came the same day as the Commerce Department reported the national economy − the total value of all goods and services in the country − shrank at an annual rate of 0.3% during the first three months of the year.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Further, even where estate planning may have placed most or all assets in trust to avoid the probate process, valuations may be necessary for ensuring that values of assets are reported correctly on the Estate Tax Return.—
Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principle. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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