Thesaurus results for CANON

Q: How is the word 'canon' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of canon are law , ordinance , precept , regulation , rule , and statute . While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide. // the canons of good taste

Q: When might 'law' be a better fit than 'canon'?

While in some cases nearly identical to canon , law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority. // obey the law

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ordinance' instead of 'canon'?

The meanings of ordinance and canon largely overlap; however, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality. // a city ordinance

Q: When can 'precept' be used instead of 'canon'?

The synonyms precept and canon are sometimes interchangeable, but precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching. // the precepts of effective writing

Q: In what contexts can 'regulation' take the place of 'canon'?

Although the words regulation and canon have much in common, regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system. // regulations affecting nuclear power plants

Q: When would 'rule' be a good substitute for 'canon'?

In some situations, the words rule and canon are roughly equivalent. However, rule applies to more restricted or specific situations. // the rules of the game

Q: When could 'statute' be used to replace 'canon'?

While the synonyms statute and canon are close in meaning, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body. // a statute requiring the use of seat belts

canon

noun

ˈka-nən

Definition of canon next

as in doctrine

a statement or body of statements concerning faith or morals proclaimed by a church members of the church must abide by its canons

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in list

a record of a series of items (as names or titles) usually arranged according to some system the canon of plays that are attributed to William Shakespeare

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in law

a collection or system of rules of conduct the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility is a lawyer's canon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word canon distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of canon are law, ordinance, precept, regulation, rule, and statute. While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

When might law be a better fit than canon?

While in some cases nearly identical to canon, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

When is it sensible to use ordinance instead of canon?

The meanings of ordinance and canon largely overlap; however, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

When can precept be used instead of canon?

The synonyms precept and canon are sometimes interchangeable, but precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

In what contexts can regulation take the place of canon?

Although the words regulation and canon have much in common, regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

When would rule be a good substitute for canon?

In some situations, the words rule and canon are roughly equivalent. However, rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

When could statute be used to replace canon?

While the synonyms statute and canon are close in meaning, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

Examples 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 canon More than 350 works on paper by more than 60 outsiders, cartoonists, graffiti masters, illustrators, and others not usually accepted into the canon of high art, from Jim Nutt to Martin Ramirez to neurodivergent genius Nicole Appel. —

Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024 Watch on Disney+ Captain Marvel Marvel's biggest mistake in the entire MCU canon (so far) was not commissioning Captain Marvel sooner. —

Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024 This latest edition to the Marvel canon will debut on Disney+ in March. —

Tess Foley-Cox, theweek, 14 Nov. 2024 While the first modern Thanksgiving does indeed go back all the way to William Bradford and the other intrepid Pilgrims who landed in Plymouth Colony in 1620, Thanksgiving first officially entered the American canon on Oct. 3, 1789. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for canon

Recent Examples of Synonyms for canon

Noun

Read: The collapse of the Khamenei doctrine The end of the Axis is good news.

Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
Russia updated its nuclear doctrine last month to justify a nuclear strike in response to an attack on Russia by a non-nuclear country, if they are backed by a nuclear-armed nation.

Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024