canon

noun

ˈka-nən How to pronounce canon (audio)
Definition of canonnext
1
as in doctrine
a statement or body of statements concerning faith or morals proclaimed by a church members of the church must abide by its canons

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in list
a record of a series of items (as names or titles) usually arranged according to some system the canon of plays that are attributed to William Shakespeare

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in law
a collection or system of rules of conduct the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility is a lawyer's canon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word canon distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of canon are law, ordinance, precept, regulation, rule, and statute. While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

When might law be a better fit than canon?

While in some cases nearly identical to canon, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

When is it sensible to use ordinance instead of canon?

The meanings of ordinance and canon largely overlap; however, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

When can precept be used instead of canon?

The synonyms precept and canon are sometimes interchangeable, but precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

In what contexts can regulation take the place of canon?

Although the words regulation and canon have much in common, regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

When would rule be a good substitute for canon?

In some situations, the words rule and canon are roughly equivalent. However, rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

When could statute be used to replace canon?

While the synonyms statute and canon are close in meaning, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

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 canon The most obvious question those holding or thinking of picking up tickets for future shows might be asking is whether Ann could still deliver some of the most demanding wailing in the rock ‘n’ roll canon at age 74, with or without the recent issues. —Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025 The single most pointless remake in the Disney canon. 15. —Barry Levitt, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025 Authorities used a water canon to disperse the crowd after protesters tried to break through police barricades. —Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025 Police used a water canon to disperse the crowd after protesters tried to break through police barricades. —Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for canon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canon
  1. doctrine
  2. list
  3. law
  4. theology
  5. listing
  6. constitution
Noun
  • Compared with the fundamentalism of al-Qaida or Hamas, the doctrines of the Bolsheviks, the nationalism of the Nazis or the sun god worship of the Aztecs, Christianity does indeed seem not too bad.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Roth said employees at the charity would have to be expressing and inculcating religious doctrine, such as requiring participation in a prayer before a meal is served at a soup kitchen.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of doctrine
Noun
  • Last month, the city published a list of reductions strategies that include more than 100 potential layoffs including positions from the Fire Department, park maintenance division and Police Department’s communication center.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Check out the full list of 2025 David Di Donatello nominees below.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of list
Noun
  • The memo signed by Rubio also makes the case that another person, whose name is redacted, should be deportable under the same law.
    — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • This relic of constitutional law, which the Supreme Court hasn’t taken seriously since its quiet death in the New Deal era, is more mythical than historical—holding, more or less, that Congress cannot delegate its lawmaking power to another branch of government.
    — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of law
Noun
  • Other pet subjects are literature, art, theology, music, and philosophy.
    — James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Gone now is the academic theology, replaced by a pastor who is more interested in talking about Jesus on a personal level and leaving questions about orthodox doctrine to rulings from the Roman Curia.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of theology
Noun
  • Moreover, under agreements with local listing services, the giant aggregators like Zillow, Homes.com and Realtor.com compile those listings into a giant dataset, which anyone in the world can peruse.
    — LEW SICHELMAN, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The best professionals aren't browsing job listings.
    — Avetis Antaplyan, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of listing
Noun
  • The first public school in the country, Boston Latin, was founded in Boston a year earlier; the state’s constitution required every town to establish grammar schools.
    — Jenna Russell, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Facing a major test, South Korea has upheld the constitution and rule of law, but the crisis has also highlighted the relative immaturity of its democratic system, legal experts say.
    — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of constitution

Browse Nearby Words

canoes
canon
canonical
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Cite this Entry

“Canon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canon. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on canon

Nglish: Translation of canon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canon

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