dictum

noun

Definition of dictumnext
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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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 dictum The dictum is Beijing’s most substantive retaliation yet to Sanae Takaichi’s remarks. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025 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 This dictum—to honor and to applaud—brought me to Charleston this past December. — Latria Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for dictum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dictum
  1. principle
  2. rule
  3. doctrine
  4. axiom
  5. law
  6. basis
  7. maxim
Noun
  • The episode highlights the dangers of placing party loyalty above principle and calls for an electoral system that gives voters greater choice, rewards compromise and strengthens representative democracy.
    — Kevin Richardson, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Critics say its removal contradicts the program’s founding mission and longstanding curatorial principles.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of principle
Noun
  • Child safety advocates and some parents have welcomed age restrictions, while privacy groups say the rules can be cheated and that forcing users to supply identification raises privacy concerns.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Outrageousness seems to be the point of these battles, which have no apparent criteria, judges, or rules.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of rule
Noun
  • The claim was allowed to stand because it was filed in a civil action outside the scope of church control, meaning that the abstention doctrine did not apply, the appeals court justices wrote.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But the work-for-hire doctrine reaches only fixed, expressed works.
    — Hamid Kohan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of doctrine
Noun
  • Yes, the Greeks made remarkable advances in mathematics, but mostly in geometry, which is about solid, stable objects and uses a strict hierarchy of axioms, rules, and procedures—very Platonic.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
  • So rather than roll those binary axioms up into a conclusion, there is an easier way to judge the scale of the future of AI, even if not its shape.
    — Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of axiom
Noun
  • Bonta, New York's Attorney General Letitia James, and 14 other state attorneys filed a lawsuit against TikTok in 2024 for violating consumer protection laws.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Courts in Texas, Louisiana and elsewhere aren’t bound by 10th Circuit precedent and can reach different or even opposite decisions on the exact same questions of law.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • Pricing Happy Head’s topical solution is billed on a monthly basis, with a single bottle containing two ounces of treatment solution.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Rice had a side hustle as a vintage dealer and brought in plenty of pieces from the same era, including 1950s sofas by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, a pair of 1970s blue suede armchairs, and benches from France with colorful bases.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of basis
Noun
  • Living by a maxim that equated failure with opportunity, Brees exhibited a knack for turning tribulation into triumph.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The walls are robin’s-egg blue, painted with images of meditating skeletons and vaguely inspirational maxims.
    — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
Definition of maxim

Browse Nearby Words

dictions
dictum
did
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Cite this Entry

“Dictum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dictum. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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