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
But even the principles themselves are open enough to interpretation that their implementation will matter.
—
ArsTechnica, 2 June 2025
The Connecticut General Assembly has passed legislation that stands for the principle that workers who bear the sacrifices of a strike shouldn’t be forced to do so alone.
—Chris Mattei, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2025
The clean principle means cleaning not only your watermelon but also your hands, knives, and other utensils before cutting into and preparing the fruit.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025
Many organizations focus specifically on empowering women to take control of their health and well-being, offering community support and resources that align with feminist principles.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for principle
ArsTechnica, 2 June 2025
The Connecticut General Assembly has passed legislation that stands for the principle that workers who bear the sacrifices of a strike shouldn’t be forced to do so alone.
—Chris Mattei, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2025
The clean principle means cleaning not only your watermelon but also your hands, knives, and other utensils before cutting into and preparing the fruit.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025
Many organizations focus specifically on empowering women to take control of their health and well-being, offering community support and resources that align with feminist principles.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 1 June 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 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share