The tenets of a theory or belief are the main principles on which it is based.
[formal]
Non-violence and patience are the central tenets of their faith. [+ of]
The judge's ruling was based on the simple commonsense tenet that no man is abovethe law.
Synonyms: principle, rule, doctrine, creed More Synonyms of tenet
tenet in British English
(ˈtɛnɪt, ˈtiːnɪt)
noun
a belief, opinion, or dogma
Word origin
C17: from Latin, literally: he (it) holds, from tenēre to hold
tenet in American English
(ˈtɛnɪt)
noun
a principle, doctrine, or belief held as a truth, as by some group
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈdoctrine
Word origin
L, he holds < tenere: see tenant
Examples of 'tenet' in a sentence
tenet
Though the design of decoys has transformed from rustic to artistic, the main tenets of construction have remained the same throughout the years.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
The sanctity of cattle is a central tenet of the religion.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Everything could and must be reduced to a single central tenet.
Brian Thompson DEVASTATING EDEN: The Search for Utopia in America (2004)
The basic tenet of our law is innocent until proven guilty.
The Sun (2014)
Yet the fact remains that one of the basic tenets of any business is protecting your assets.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
To have done that would have been to betray the basic tenet of their religion.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The two composers did share basic aesthetic tenets.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
The central tenets of policy remained the same, as did the desire to reform where possible.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The Lottery is based on a simple tenet.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The notion of building a business as a long-term proposition is a basic tenet for the organisation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Critics claim that the killing is simply for pleasure, which undermines a basic tenet of conservation.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But broadcasting was not closely attuned to the preferences of viewers, or to the basic tenets of efficient operation.
Veljanovski, Dr Cento The Media in Britain Today (1990)
It's amazing how much progress you can make just by observing the basic tenets of decent health and decent manners.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It includes reliance on superstitions, as well as religious tenets such as belief in the survival of the soul after death.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Formed as a socialist party, its commitment to public ownership of large parts of the economy was a central tenet for many years.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But not the basic tenet of central TV rights sales.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They certainly don't deserve the right or power to destroy the basic tenets of civilised society simply because there are profits to be made.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Yet the central tenet of the human condition - love - seems utterly foreign to your understanding.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Forgiveness is, of course, a tenet central to most religions.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This would appear to support the central tenet of the movement - that healthy soil results in healthy plants, which results in healthy consumers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
His central tenet that hunger is not a natural catastrophe - it emerges into public view within historical contexts and for precise political reasons - is compelling.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
tenet
British English: tenet NOUN
The tenets of a theory or belief are the main principles on which it is based.
Non-violence and patience are the central tenets of their faith.
American English: tenet
Brazilian Portuguese: princípio
Chinese: > 基本原则理论、信仰的
European Spanish: principio
French: principe
German: Prinzip
Italian: principio
Japanese: 主義
Korean: 주의
European Portuguese: princípio
Latin American Spanish: principio
(noun)
Definition
a principle on which a belief or doctrine is based
Non-violence is the central tenet of their faith.
Synonyms
principle
a violation of the basic principles of Marxism
rule
An important rule is to drink plenty of water.
doctrine
the Marxist doctrine of perpetual revolution
creed
The centre is open to all, no matter what race or creed.
view
You should make your views known to your local MP.
teaching
opinion
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
belief
He refuses to compete on Sundays because of his religious beliefs.
conviction
Their religious convictions prevented them from taking up arms.
canon
These measures offended all the accepted canons of political economy.
thesis
This thesis does not stand up to close inspection.
maxim
dogma
the dogma of the Immaculate Conception
precept
the precepts of Buddhism
article of faith
kaupapa (New Zealand)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of belief
Definition
a principle, etc., accepted as true, often without proof
He refuses to compete on Sundays because of his religious beliefs.
Synonyms
faith,
principles,
doctrine,
ideology,
creed,
dogma,
tenet,
credence,
credo
in the sense of canon
Definition
a general rule or standard
These measures offended all the accepted canons of political economy.
Synonyms
rule,
standard,
principle,
regulation,
formula,
criterion,
dictate,
statute,
yardstick,
precept
in the sense of conviction
Definition
to be convincing
Their religious convictions prevented them from taking up arms.
Synonyms
belief,
view,
opinion,
principle,
faith,
persuasion,
creed,
tenet,
kaupapa (New Zealand)
Nearby words of
tenet
tenderhearted
tenderness
tenebrous
tenet
tennis
tenor
tense
Synonyms of 'tenet'
tenet
Explore 'tenet' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of creed
Definition
a system of beliefs or principles
The centre is open to all, no matter what race or creed.
Synonyms
belief,
principles,
profession,
doctrine,
canon,
persuasion,
dogma,
tenet,
credo,
catechism,
articles of faith
in the sense of doctrine
Definition
a principle or body of principles that is taught or advocated
the Marxist doctrine of perpetual revolution
Synonyms
teaching,
principle,
belief,
opinion,
article,
concept,
conviction,
canon,
creed,
dogma,
tenet,
precept,
article of faith,
kaupapa (New Zealand)
in the sense of dogma
Definition
a doctrine or system of doctrines proclaimed by authority as true
the dogma of the Immaculate Conception
Synonyms
doctrine,
teachings,
principle,
opinion,
article,
belief,
creed,
tenet,
precept,
credo,
article of faith,
code of belief,
kaupapa (New Zealand)
in the sense of opinion
Definition
belief not founded on certainty or proof but on what seems probable
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
Synonyms
belief,
feeling,
view,
idea,
theory,
notion,
conviction,
point of view,
sentiment,
viewpoint,
persuasion,
conjecture
in the sense of precept
Definition
a rule of conduct
the precepts of Buddhism
Synonyms
rule,
order,
law,
direction,
principle,
command,
regulation,
instruction,
decree,
mandate,
canon,
statute,
ordinance,
commandment,
behest,
dictum
in the sense of rule
An important rule is to drink plenty of water.
Synonyms
precept,
principle,
criterion,
canon,
maxim,
tenet,
axiom
in the sense of thesis
Definition
an opinion supported by reasoned argument
This thesis does not stand up to close inspection.
Synonyms
proposition,
theory,
hypothesis,
idea,
view,
opinion,
proposal,
contention,
line of argument
in the sense of view
Definition
opinion, judgment, or belief
You should make your views known to your local MP.