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. Shinzo Abe:

   We've managed to compile a long-term and specific plan that fully takes into account our new security policy, as the key principle of our space policy, this is something that marks a historic turning point.

2. Thomas Hughes:

   We recognize there are many who want the board to start hearing cases as soon as possible, we have all shared that ambition... our first principle has always been to ensure we take the correct steps to get this right.

3. George Orwell:

   The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous. Hierarchical society is only possible on the basis of poverty and ignorance. This new version is the past and no different past can ever have existed. In principle the war effort is always planned to keep society on the brink of starvation. The war is waged by the ruling group against its own subjects and its object is not the victory over either Eurasia or East Asia, but to keep the very structure of society intact.

4. Barack Obama:

   That's a very dangerous message to send to people of Iran, but also to the people of the world -- that you should never come to an agreement with the United States because at the end of the day, the operating principle of the United States is' what's mine is mine, what's yours is negotiable,' the situation is creating an impression globally that agreements don't matter.

5. Adrian Gardner:

   London Metal Exchange's strange and sad, london Metal Exchange's not good for The LME or the metal industry. London Metal Exchange's not good for the principle of trading or for the principal of free market economics.