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Synonyms of 'principle'

principle

Explore 'principle' in the dictionary

1 (noun) in the sense of morals

Definition

a set of such moral rules

He would never compromise his principles.They had great trust in him as a man of principle.

Synonyms

morals

standards

ideals

I can no longer serve with honour as a member of your government.

His mother was held up to the family as a paragon of virtue.

I have always regarded him as a man of integrity.

an effort to preserve traditional morality

scruples

probity (formal)

a woman renowned for her moral probity

people of the utmost rectitude

moral standards

sense of duty

moral law

sense of honour

a contest in which courage and uprightness win through

kaupapa (New Zealand)

See examples for synonyms

2 (noun) in the sense of belief

Definition

a moral rule guiding personal conduct

a violation of the basic principles of Marxism

Synonyms

He refuses to compete on Sundays because of his religious beliefs.

An important rule is to drink plenty of water.

My father has always had high moral standards.

the general change in attitude towards them

the notion that musical ability is present from birth

He has a realistic notion of his capabilities.

Exam results shouldn't be the only criterion for your choice of school.

ethic

the Marxist doctrine of perpetual revolution

These measures offended all the accepted canons of political economy.

The centre is open to all, no matter what race or creed.

I believe in the maxim `if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

the dogma of the Immaculate Conception

Non-violence is the central tenet of their faith.

the dictum that it is preferable to be roughly right than precisely wrong

credo

the long-held axiom that education leads to higher income

See examples for synonyms

3 (noun) in the sense of rule

Definition

a general law in science

the principles of quantum theory

Synonyms

It's a good idea to keep a stock of tins in the cupboard.

law

the laws of the Church of England

The UN plan is a possible basis for negotiation.

His mission is to uphold truth, justice and the American way.

She added that the concept of arranged marriages is misunderstood in the west.

The new peace formula means hostilities have ended.

Some claim that Ireland's very essence is expressed through its language.

the proposition that monarchs derived their authority by divine right

golden rule

the precepts of Buddhism

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phrase

See in principle

Usage note

Principle and principal are often confused: the principal (not principle) reason for his departure; the plan was approved in principle (not principal).

Quotations

It is always easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them [Alfred Adler]The most useful thing about a principle is that it can always be sacrificed to expediency [W. Somerset Maugham – The Circle]

Copyright © 2016 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.

Additional synonyms

in the sense of attitude

Definition

the way a person thinks and behaves

the general change in attitude towards them

Synonyms

in the sense of axiom

Definition

a generally accepted principle

the long-held axiom that education leads to higher income

Synonyms

gnome,

apophthegm

in the sense of basis

Definition

a principle on which something depends

The UN plan is a possible basis for negotiation.

Synonyms

starting point,

point of departure,

principal element,

chief ingredient

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principle

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principle

in principle

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Thesaurus for principle from the Collins English Thesaurus

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Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

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Score: 0 / 5

lead or led?

Which version is correct?

The water flowed through old-fashioned lead pipes. The water flowed through old-fashioned led pipes.

pail or pale?

Which version is correct?

Ben put the pail down beside the vet. Ben put the pale down beside the vet.

larva or lava?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

lava

larva

Rivers of flowed down the volcano.

weather or whether?

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weather

whether

Fishing is possible in virtually any .

flew or flu?

Which version is correct?

Both of us had come down with the flew. Both of us had come down with the flu.

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Aug 29, 2021

Word of the day

cou-cou

a preparation of boiled corn meal and okras , stirred to a stiff consistency with a cou-cou stick , eaten in the Caribbean

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Scrabble score
for 'principle':
15

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

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Score: 0 / 5

pidgin or pigeon?

Which version is correct?

They could only speak pidgin English. They could only speak pigeon English.

coarse or course?

Which version is correct?

I'd love to take a coarse in French literature. I'd love to take a course in French literature.

desert or dessert?

Which version is correct?

The vehicles have been modified to suit conditions in the desert. The vehicles have been modified to suit conditions in the dessert.

hear or here?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

hear

here

I'd love to it played by a professional orchestra.

knead or need?

Which version is correct?

I knead to make a phone call. I need to make a phone call.

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Updating our Usage

There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more. October 30, 2020 Read more

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