Synonyms for principle
ˈprɪn sə pəlprin·ci·ple

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. principlenoun

   Moral rule or aspect.

   Synonyms:
   tenet

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. principle

   Doctrine primarily signifies that which is taught; principle, the fundamental basis on which the teaching rests. A doctrine is reasoned out, and may be defended by reasoning; a dogma rests on authority, as of direct revelation, the decision of the church, etc. A doctrine or dogma is a statement of some one item of belief; a creed is a summary of doctrines or dogmas. Dogma has commonly, at the present day, an offensive signification, as of a belief arrogantly asserted. Tenet is simply that which is held, and is applied to a single item of belief; it is a neutral word, neither approving nor condemning; we speak of the doctrines of our own church; of the tenets of others. A precept relates not to belief, but to conduct. Compare FAITH; LAW.

   Synonyms:
   article of belief, article of faith, belief, doctrine, dogma, precept, teaching, tenet

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.7 / 6 votes

1. principle

   Synonyms:
   source, origin, motive, cause, energy, substance, element, power, faculty, truth, tenet, law, doctrine, axiom, maxim, postulate, rule

   Antonyms:
   exhibition, manifestation, application, development, issue, exercise, operation, formation, action

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. principle, rulenoun

   a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

   "their principles of composition characterized all their works"

   Synonyms:
   precept, rationale, convention, rule, normal, pattern, ruler, prescript, regulation, formula, linguistic rule, dominion

2. principlenoun

   a rule or standard especially of good behavior

   "a man of principle"; "he will not violate his principles"

   Synonyms:
   rationale, precept, rule

3. principlenoun

   a basic truth or law or assumption

   "the principles of democracy"

   Synonyms:
   rationale, precept, rule

4. principle, rulenoun

   a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system

   "the principle of the conservation of mass"; "the principle of jet propulsion"; "the right-hand rule for inductive fields"

   Synonyms:
   precept, rationale, convention, rule, normal, pattern, ruler, prescript, regulation, formula, linguistic rule, dominion

5. principle, preceptnoun

   rule of personal conduct

   Synonyms:
   rationale, precept, commandment, teaching, rule

6. rationale, principlenoun

   (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)

   "the rationale for capital punishment"; "the principles of internal-combustion engines"

   Synonyms:
   rationale, precept, rule

Matched Categories

1. • Explanation
   • Generalization
   • Law
   • Rule
   • Value

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. principlenoun

   Synonyms:
   origin, source, cause, spring, mainspring, fountain, groundwork, prime mover, fountain-head

2. principlenoun

   Synonyms:
   element, substratum, fundamental or primordial substance

3. principlenoun

   Synonyms:
   postulate, axiom, law, elementary proposition, fundamental truth

4. principlenoun

   Synonyms:
   doctrine, tenet, dogma, opinion, maxim, rule

5. principlenoun

   Synonyms:
   ground, motive, reason

6. principlenoun

   Synonyms:
   integrity, uprightness, rectitude, probity, honesty, virtue, righteousness, incorruptibility, goodness, trustworthiness, trustiness, worth, honor

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "principle":

   principles, beginning, principled, outset, premise, principe, concept, start, tenet, doctrine, rule, assumption, theory, principal, basis, idea, notion

Suggested Resources

1. Principle

   Principle vs. Principal -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Principle and Principal.

2. Principle

   Principal vs. Principle -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Principal and Principle.

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How to use principle in a sentence?

1. John Randolph:

   The principle of liberty and equality, if coupled with mere selfishness, will make men only devils, each trying to be independent that he may fight only for his own interest. And here is the need of religion and its power, to bring in the principle of benevolence and love to men.

2. Herbert Spencer:

   There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation.

3. Yukihiro Matsumoto:

   The principle of least surprise is not for you only. The principle of least surprise means principle of least my surprise.

4. Chancellor Angela Merkel:

   On the one hand, we want to reach an agreement with which the British government can successfully campaign, in the forthcoming referendum, to remain in the European Union, on the other hand, we don't want to, and we won't, call into question the core principles of European integration. These include in particular the principle of free movement and the principle of non-discrimination between European citizens.

5. Saudi Foreign Minister Jubeir:

   Jubeir said, referring to Assad. Iran is our neighbor, but neighbors have to live with each other based on the principle of good neighborliness, And the principle of non-interference in the affairs of others.