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."
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Recent Examples of dictum
But today the dictum applies to Israel, as well.
—
Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2025
Not that Wolfe’s dictum was totally off the mark.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
WarGames and The Matrix, each in its own quite different way, follow the classic dictum that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
—Jeremy Dauber, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2025
On the first day of his term, Trump signed an executive order that recognized two sexes, male and female, a dictum that has moved across all departments under his jurisdiction.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2025
Not that Wolfe’s dictum was totally off the mark.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
WarGames and The Matrix, each in its own quite different way, follow the classic dictum that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
—Jeremy Dauber, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2025
On the first day of his term, Trump signed an executive order that recognized two sexes, male and female, a dictum that has moved across all departments under his jurisdiction.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictum
Noun
-
Part of the Fort Hill Wellness Series presented by the Naperville Park District, the hour-long discussion will cover the basic principles of cancer and how to navigate a colon cancer diagnosis, a news release said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
For a deeper look at Cramer’s approach, read his Guide to Investing for his key investment principles.—
,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nanos claimed Cross campaigned against him while wearing his Pima County Sheriff's uniform in breach of department rules, which Cross denied.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Congress can add rules for federal races.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Brazil thus ceased to be a peripheral observer of this geopolitical playbook and became its active protagonist, setting the stage for the doctrine’s most devastating domestic application.—
Evandro Cruz Silva,
The Dial,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Sarma offers precision From an operational perspective, Sarma reflects a broader shift in Russian artillery doctrine toward greater precision, survivability, and mobility.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The axiom about first getting one’s own house in order before pointing to the fault of others is appropriate here.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
-
But even that axiom doesn’t always hold.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Canada already has far stronger gun laws than the United States, and mass shootings are extremely rare.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Democrats are calling for judicial warrants before agents can enter private property, a ban on ICE agents wearing face masks, requiring the use of body cameras and new laws for use-of-force standards.—
Justin Gomez,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Demonstrations are happening on a near daily basis.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Her job, which keeps you breathless even from the safety of your chair or sofa, sees her mediating between clients, company management and cleaning staff on a daily basis.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The United States is currently living out the first half of that maxim.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Maybe anyone planning long journeys should take those maxims as advice anyhow.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dictum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictum. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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