1
as in doctrines
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
Relevance
2
as in lists
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 laws
a collection or system of rules of conduct
the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility is a lawyer's canon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canons
The attack was massive, involving nearly 50,000 infantry and cavalry as well as 58 canons.
—
Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
Solak continued, saying that Smith’s arrest would be investigated by diocese officials and follow church canons that handle clergy misconduct.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
The Stockholm Series reminded me that one function of canons is to create solidarity.
—Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Both male and female idols (and the crowds) are drenched by water canons throughout the festival.
—Jae-Ha Kim, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2025
It is eventually revealed that Kawaji was also the man who gave the order to fire canons at the Battle of Toba–Fushimi, killing samurai on both sides after the outcome had been decided.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
There are no canons of forgery in Quintilian’s Institutes or Cicero.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Confetti canons shot out glittering rainbows, and Derevjanik began to dance around, shouting in glee.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Peppard believes that before organizations can deliver on the transformational potential of AI, or indeed any transformational technology, there are multiple canons defining the dominant orthodoxy that must be tackled head-on.
—Randy Bean, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
Solak continued, saying that Smith’s arrest would be investigated by diocese officials and follow church canons that handle clergy misconduct.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
The Stockholm Series reminded me that one function of canons is to create solidarity.
—Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Both male and female idols (and the crowds) are drenched by water canons throughout the festival.
—Jae-Ha Kim, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2025
It is eventually revealed that Kawaji was also the man who gave the order to fire canons at the Battle of Toba–Fushimi, killing samurai on both sides after the outcome had been decided.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
There are no canons of forgery in Quintilian’s Institutes or Cicero.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Confetti canons shot out glittering rainbows, and Derevjanik began to dance around, shouting in glee.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Peppard believes that before organizations can deliver on the transformational potential of AI, or indeed any transformational technology, there are multiple canons defining the dominant orthodoxy that must be tackled head-on.
—Randy Bean, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canons
Noun
-
Two people in the same local assembly may share similar doctrines but be at odds over the efficacy of modern scientific medicine, especially vaccines.—
Cory Anderson,
STAT,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Prevailing economic doctrines proved flawed.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The league’s teams protected five players apiece ahead of the expansion draft, but those lists were not made public, leading to speculation about which players were available.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Coyle also delegates various administrators representing each sport to keep lists of prospective coaches.—
Charley Walters,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, some Idaho taxpayers can expect longer waits on refunds due to state tax conformity laws the Idaho Statesman previously reported.—
Hali Smith
April 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The mayor also says the city could need to stop enforcing laws against street camping and vehicle habitation if there are major cuts to city-run lots for people living in vehicles or tents.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The recent wave of quantum listings comes at a tumultuous time for global markets, as conflict in the Middle East roils investor confidence, especially in risky, speculative assets like quantum companies.—
Dylan Butts,Matthew Chin,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Leaders of several former Soviet republics, including Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, have previously used new or amended constitutions to revise statutory term limits.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Founding Father James Madison included this important bulwark against governmental overreaching in his introductory draft of the Bill of Rights, and it was then incorporated into the United States Constitution and many of the individual state constitutions.—
Barbara Jaffe,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Because the feudal courts, chivalric codes, and aristocratic patronage that had sustained it were gone.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But more recently, particularly in the past decade, a tension has both emerged and persisted, as hinted at by the color-codes in the image above.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canons. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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