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 So where does the show fit in Plan B’s canon of content? —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025 For instance, the commission found that private comments and a public court filing by Shore sought to downplay the reasons for his prior discipline, and thus Shore lacked candor in violation of one of the canons of the California Code of Judicial Ethics. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 Their will-they-won't-they romance (now officially canon in the comics and on the Max series Harley Quinn) feels like a long-overdue cosmic alignment. —James Mercadante, EW.com, 26 Mar. 2025 The film is solid if not harsh, like walking directly into the wind, but its adherence to literary canon didn’t necessarily carry Arnold’s film into the beloved literary classic canon. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 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
  • Church doctrine calls for the pope to be buried four to six days after his death, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
    — Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Church doctrine calls for the pope to be buried four to six days after his death; the timing of Francis’ funeral has yet to be announced.
    — Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of doctrine
Noun
  • With 16 goals and five assists in 32 games, Bryan Mbeumo might already be in your ‘joy to watch’ list.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The analyst also has Flutter on the firm’s 25 stocks for 2025 list top ideas list.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of list
Noun
  • The state's Senate approved the proposal, which is modeled after Arizona’s law, on April 1.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • My greatest wish is that through organizations like Planned Parenthood and the action of everyday citizens, no woman will need to sacrifice her dreams, her health or humanity because of restrictive laws or lack of resources.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of law
Noun
  • The pontiff has been critical of the Trump administration’s mass deportation of migrants and has disputed Vance’s interpretation of theology.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Elwell taught graduate students at Wheaton and specialized in Christology, which is the branch of theology concerning Jesus Christ.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of theology
Noun
  • The listing is one of few tools available to climate-conscious readers who want to learn more about which companies are successfully lowering their emissions.
    — Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Now, with many job listings being posted online, and with remote work being extremely popular among professionals, the dynamics are different.
    — Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of listing
Noun
  • He’s even expressed willingness to reform Ecuador’s constitution — potentially allowing for the formal return of a US military presence, like the one that existed from 1999 to 2009 at the now-defunct Manta Air Base.
    — David Culver, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Certainly the extraordinary performance of the U.S. economy since ratification of the constitution makes a strong argument for this structure of government.
    — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 21 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 2 May. 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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