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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 principle
Harry has maintained that as head of state, his father the King could help intervene to restore his security — a principle that the palace denies.
—
Janine Henni, People.com, 21 May 2025
In fact, if anything, the current administration is laying waste to our Constitution, which is implicitly an overthrow of the principles that have guided our country for nearly 250 years.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
That’s the principle at work in his new documentary Orwell: 2+2=5, premiering at the Cannes Film Festival.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 20 May 2025
Under normal principles of privacy law, information ceases to be private once it is widely known by the public.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
Janine Henni, People.com, 21 May 2025
In fact, if anything, the current administration is laying waste to our Constitution, which is implicitly an overthrow of the principles that have guided our country for nearly 250 years.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
That’s the principle at work in his new documentary Orwell: 2+2=5, premiering at the Cannes Film Festival.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 20 May 2025
Under normal principles of privacy law, information ceases to be private once it is widely known by the public.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principle
Noun
-
Eventually – inevitably – a recession will occur, but the huge 2022-2024 inversion will not have predicted it by the traditional rules of interpretation.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
Older people were hit the hardest socially by COVID rules that limited or barred visits from family and friends.—
Joshua Zatulskis,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Sacramento encourages higher density to address the regional housing shortage and, because of that, the city must approve projects that meet state standards.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2025
-
Interestingly, there’s an international standard for PIN code management in financial services, ISO 9564-1, and this allows for PINs of up to 12 digits.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
Earlier this month, Attorney General Todd Rokita sent a letter to the University of Notre Dame claiming its DEI policies may violate state and federal law.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 May 2025
-
But Connecticut’s clean slate law does not apply to out-of-state convictions.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Then, when rates do come down and investors go looking for higher income, the value of these funds’ bonds—and indeed the value of these funds themselves—should rise.—
Michael Foster,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
One driver who might deliver pretty good value for a Top 10?—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principle. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share