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

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

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 canon The Complete Stories Published in 1971 but written much earlier, Flannery O’Connor’s sharp, Southern Gothic short stories cement her place in the American literary canon. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 But the current 10-piece ensemble masterfully recreates the group’s canon of hits each night live on stage. — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Over the years, artists from punk to hip-hop have contributed tracks to the canon. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026 But frankly, who cares about logic or canon when the results are so much madcap fun? — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for canon

Recent Examples of Synonyms for canon

Noun

Less apparent, though, is the dramatic shift in domestic security doctrine that undergirds these efforts.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
Greece sees the system as central to modernizing its forces amid tensions with NATO neighbor Turkey, embracing new doctrines to counter ballistic missiles, drones, cyber threats and other evolving forms of warfare.

— Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of doctrine

Noun

Bonta, New York's Attorney General Letitia James, and 14 other state attorneys filed a lawsuit against TikTok in 2024 for violating consumer protection laws.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Courts in Texas, Louisiana and elsewhere aren’t bound by 10th Circuit precedent and can reach different or even opposite decisions on the exact same questions of law.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of law

Noun

The home could become a restaurant or a bed and breakfast, or its bedrooms could be converted into booths, according to its listing.

— Joe Marusak August 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Know More Saudi Arabia has been working on several measures in a bid to boost trading volumes on the stock exchange and reenergize new stock listings that had been faltering even before the Iran war spooked investors.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of listing

Noun

At the time, Norway’s constitution stipulated that only male heirs could inherit the title.

— James Frater, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
The right of women to the ballot was formally made a part of the constitution of the United States today when Secretary of State Colby proclaimed ratification of the nineteenth amendment.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of constitution

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“Canon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canon. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of canon

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Synonyms of canon

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canon event

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