canon

noun

ˈka-nən How to pronounce canon (audio)
Definition of canonnext
1
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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2
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
3
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 Jo Martin's performance has been widely praised, but the Fugitive Doctor's existence fundamentally changes the 'Who' canon. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 May 2025 Taron Egerton, now a staple in the Apple TV+ gritty drama canon, plays an arson investigator who, alongside Jurnee Smollett, is on the trail of two serial arsonists. —Lucy Ford, Time, 19 May 2025 In the football canon, they are supposed to be polar opposites — winning ugly versus the beautiful game. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 15 May 2025 Sport emerged early as one of Jorge Bergoglio’s native tongues, bound intimately to memory, family, identity and belonging – threads also evident in his canon of teachings on sport. —Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, The Conversation, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for canon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canon
  1. doctrine
  2. list
  3. law
  4. theology
  5. listing
  6. constitution
Noun
  • Because Moore was working for the network, Eady is also suing them by respondeat superior, a legal doctrine that holds employers responsible for the wrongful conduct of their employees.
    — Liza Esquibias, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • Wednesday's ruling was unrelated to the Trump administration pending invocation of the state secrets privilege, a legal doctrine often used in military cases.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 June 2025
Definition of doctrine
Noun
  • The Billboard staff included three songs from Captain Fantastic on its 2022 list of the 75 Best Elton John Songs, timed to coincide with the star’s 75th birthday.
    — Paul Grein, Billboard, 6 June 2025
  • The alliance also pledged a five-fold increase in surface-to-air defense systems, and set out a detailed list of each country’s specific contributions to NATO’s military capabilities.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of list
Noun
  • Asian Americans’ outrage over a judge’s leniency in the case — the assailants received $3,000 fines and no jail time — sparked a surge of activism seeking tougher hate crime laws nationwide.
    — Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 31 May 2025
  • Sunday marks the first batch — 83, to be exact — to become law.
    — Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun, 31 May 2025
Definition of law
Noun
  • Perhaps the slogan suggested not so much romantic love but something like agape in Christian theology: a desireless, God-like benevolence—love for, not just between, lovers.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
  • Augustine’s numerous works cover mostly theology, philosophy, biblical exegesis, apologetics, and pastoral matters.
    — Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of theology
Noun
  • The current listing is held by Dennis Carvajal with One Sotheby’s International Realty.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 June 2025
  • So the permit’s in hand, the listing is popular, the parties begin.
    — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
Definition of listing
Noun
  • The constitution of the baseball had become a paramount topic in the sport as home runs kept flying out of stadiums all October.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • This lamentable record is spurring calls to amend the constitution from the current single five-year term to two terms, as well as perhaps holding parliamentary elections at the same time as presidential to avoid the executive and legislature being constantly at odds with each other.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025
Definition of constitution

Browse Nearby Words

canoes
canon
canonical
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Cite this Entry

“Canon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canon. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on canon

Nglish: Translation of canon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canon

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