on principle
idiom
: because of one's beliefs
She refused on principle to give toy guns to the children.
Examples of on principle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But on principle, political recognition can lead to beneficial security cooperation, humanitarian links, and even lucrative business dealings.
—
Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2024
Why Beijing Is Bringing Big Tech to Heel Beijing doesn’t oppose monopolies on principle, but even tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent must put party over profit.
—Larry Diamond, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
The New Era itself stands in a strange place: All three of these seasons are well received by fans, yet nobody seems to like the New Era on principle — including players from previous seasons, who don’t appear to take the New Era players seriously.
—Nic Juarez, Vulture, 4 June 2024
Defensive versus offensive tech Some VC funds steer clear of investing in tech with military business, as a result of agreements with some of their own investors—who may restrict the backing of companies that make weapons or related software—or sometimes on principle.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 29 May 2024
Other players objected to the PSN account requirement based on principle.
—Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 6 May 2024
Common Ground, however, said the agency should do so, on principle, to hear from its residents.
—Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
McGovern went to trial on principle; the seventh person’s trial will take place in Iowa City this spring.
—Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
However, the rules on principle are flexible, so the trust document could provide almost any type of standard.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2024
Why Beijing Is Bringing Big Tech to Heel Beijing doesn’t oppose monopolies on principle, but even tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent must put party over profit.
—Larry Diamond, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
The New Era itself stands in a strange place: All three of these seasons are well received by fans, yet nobody seems to like the New Era on principle — including players from previous seasons, who don’t appear to take the New Era players seriously.
—Nic Juarez, Vulture, 4 June 2024
Defensive versus offensive tech Some VC funds steer clear of investing in tech with military business, as a result of agreements with some of their own investors—who may restrict the backing of companies that make weapons or related software—or sometimes on principle.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 29 May 2024
Other players objected to the PSN account requirement based on principle.
—Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 6 May 2024
Common Ground, however, said the agency should do so, on principle, to hear from its residents.
—Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
McGovern went to trial on principle; the seventh person’s trial will take place in Iowa City this spring.
—Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
However, the rules on principle are flexible, so the trust document could provide almost any type of standard.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on principle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near on principle
Cite this Entry
“On principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20principle. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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