Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having high moral principles: Describes a person who consistently adheres to a strict and commendable code of ethical conduct and integrity.

Usage

• The adjective high-principled is used to describe a person's character. It is a formal term of praise, indicating that someone is guided by strong ethics and a sense of right and wrong.
• It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predictively (after a linking verb like 'is' or 'was').

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):
  • She is known as a high-principled leader who never compromises on ethics.
  • The journalist's high-principled stance made her a respected figure.
• Predictive use (after a linking verb):
  • He was high-principled and refused to take part in the dishonest scheme.
  • Their actions proved they were truly high-principled.

Advanced Usage

• "To be high-principled": To possess and act upon a strong moral code.
  • In a world of compromise, it is rare to find someone so consistently high-principled.

Variants and Related Words

• Principle (n): A fundamental truth, law, or rule of conduct that serves as a foundation for a system of belief or behavior.
  • He is a man of strong principles.
• Principled (adj): (Often used without 'high') Behaving in a way that is morally correct.
  • She took a principled stand against the policy.

Synonyms

• Ethical: Conforming to accepted standards of conduct.
• Upright: Strictly honest or honorable.
• Scrupulous: Very careful to do what is right.
• Honorable: Deserving respect and admiration.

Antonyms

• Unprincipled: Lacking moral principles; unscrupulous.
• Dishonorable: Not deserving respect or trust.
• Unethical: Not morally correct.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A person of principle": A person who has strong moral beliefs and acts according to them. This is a common phrase with a meaning very close to "high-principled."
  • He resigned in protest, proving himself to be a person of principle.

Adjective

1. having high principles