as in principle
formal
a statement or well-known remark that expresses an important idea, observation, or opinion
A doctor must follow the dictum of "First, do no harm."
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dictum
The next Democrat to become president, Bill Clinton, won election in 1992 in part by stressing his adherence to Reagan’s free-market dictums.
—
Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, over the last quarter century, firms had already begun implementing the converse of Taylor’s dictum.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The Marquess of Queensberry rules for boxing, 12 dictum which (among other changes) separated fighters by weight class and mandated the use of padded gloves, were promulgated in 1867.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The party that once embraced President Ronald Reagan’s campaign dictum that the government was the problem now enthusiastically embraces the government as a political weapon.
—Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, over the last quarter century, firms had already begun implementing the converse of Taylor’s dictum.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The Marquess of Queensberry rules for boxing, 12 dictum which (among other changes) separated fighters by weight class and mandated the use of padded gloves, were promulgated in 1867.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The party that once embraced President Ronald Reagan’s campaign dictum that the government was the problem now enthusiastically embraces the government as a political weapon.
—Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictum
Noun
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The court found that denying legal recognition to the non-biological mother violates the constitutional principles of equality and personal identity and violates the child’s rights to care, education and emotional continuity from both parents.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
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No one understands this principle better than President George Gresham of New York’s massive SEIU 1199 — who was a key player in multiplying both the total number of Medicaid enrollees and the total cost to state and federal taxpayers per enrollee.—
Mark Mix,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
-
But a groundswell of protest art was answering the call with a new kind of ardent feeling that damned the false piety and hypocrisy of homophobic Christian doctrine.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
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Shoigu, who was replaced as defense minister in 2024 after holding the position for 12 years, cited amendments made to Russia's nuclear doctrine in November.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Noun
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And so, with gold on a steep upward trajectory: The following chart reflects my thinking, based on these axioms: Tension is going to increase dramatically—even from current levels.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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But the soul of the Scorpion was not easily vanquished, proving the axiom that driving a slow car fast is better than driving a fast car slow.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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But Connecticut’s clean slate law does not apply to out-of-state convictions.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
These human rights groups were nowhere to be seen when these terrorists were violating the human rights of millions of people on a daily basis.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
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Now, it’s being discussed and measured in people’s bloodwork on a more widespread basis.—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
22 May 2025
Noun
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That violates another maxim commonly taught in families, schools and religious venues everywhere: Those who can should help those in need.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
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At a place as small as McCabe’s — smaller, even, by far than the El Rey, where Burnett last officially played in 2006 — a statement like that could count as more than just a passing maxim.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dictum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictum. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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