tenet

noun

Definition of tenetnext
as in principle
an idea that is very important to a group the central tenets of a religion He refused to abide by one of the basic tenets of the fashion industry.

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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 tenet Some tenets, like staying closed on Sundays, will never change. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026 The exemptions currently in place must be based on religious tenets and practices. — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 To kneel at the altar of the market, to pray to the gods of the ultra-wealthy—these are not categorical values bestowed upon humanity, tenets beamed down to us from the cosmos. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 One of the basic tenets of environmental toxicology is that children are not small adults. — Rebecca Smullin Dawson, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tenet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenet
  1. principle
  2. rule
  3. standard
Noun
  • Without principle, without a moral compass, with no checks and balances, our would-be-dictator is an embarrassing stain on the soul of a once-proud America.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The deeper craft In the age of AI, the value of these principles has never been higher.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of principle
Noun
  • In 2024, the CFPB proposed a rule that would require the disclosure of tips and fees as finance charges as an APR, or the total yearly cost of borrowing money.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But that same year, protests erupted that ended 15 years of rule by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of rule
Noun
  • OpenAI took months to discover the incident and notify the Australian agencies affected — that’s unacceptable by my standard.
    — Rumman Chowdhury, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Airport officials said the new design also increases the distance between the terminal and the nearest runway, formerly as little as 257 feet, to about 880 feet — a change that brings the airport into compliance with FAA standards.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of standard

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Cite this Entry

“Tenet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenet. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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