adj
principled
PRIHN-sih-puhld
Principled (adj) means acting according to strong moral principles; honourable. Example: “She made a principled decision to turn down the bribe.”
adj
1
Acting according to strong moral principles; honourable.
"She made a principled decision to turn down the bribe."
"He's known as a principled and fair negotiator."
How to use principled
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGuided by firm moral standards — doing the right thing even when it's inconvenient.
Common pairings
a principled stand
principled leader
principled objection
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more principled
- Superlative
- most principled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She made a _____ decision to turn down the bribe.
Etymology
From principle plus the adjective-forming suffix -ed.
Antonyms
unprincipled
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “principled” mean?
The word “principled” means acting according to strong moral principles; honourable. In plain terms, guided by firm moral standards — doing the right thing even when it's inconvenient.
How do you pronounce “principled”?
“Principled” is pronounced PRIHN-sih-puhld (/ˈpɹɪnsɪpəld/ in IPA).
How do you use “principled” in a sentence?
Here is “principled” used in a sentence: “She made a principled decision to turn down the bribe.”
What is the opposite of “principled”?
The opposite of “principled” — its antonyms — is unprincipled.
What part of speech is “principled”?
“Principled” is an adjective.
