principled
adjective
prin·ci·pled
ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəld 
-sə-bəld
: exhibiting, based on, or characterized by principle
—often used in combination
Examples of principled in a Sentence
She took a principled stand on funding public education.
a high-principled art expert who always told clients what he honestly thought their items were worth
Recent Examples on the Web
That moment helped the public understand that principled policy inevitably produced good politics.
—
Arne Carlson, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
With principled policy and practical safeguards, trade can be a lever for dignity, not a license to exploit.
—Tharo Khun, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump has repeatedly signaled that American security commitments are transactional, not principled.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
China’s rapport with the United States and its allies has thus evolved from pragmatic engagement to principled divergence.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Principled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/principled. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
principled
adjective
prin·ci·pled
ˈprin(t)-s(ə-)pəld
-sə-bəld
: based on or marked by principle
high-principled
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