Tenet
Teams, religions, and friend groups all quietly test whether newcomers share the non-negotiable beliefs that hold the whole thing together.
Learn This WordMeaning
A principle or belief, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy.
Memory trick
Tenet = what you "hold" as true (Latin tenere = to hold).
Examples
One tenet of good leadership is taking responsibility for outcomes.
Transparency is a core tenet of their company culture.
The philosophy’s central tenet is that suffering is unavoidable.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin tenet "he/she holds," from tenere "to hold."
Usage Notes
Useful when describing a “core principle” without sounding preachy. Common in culture docs and strategy.
Real-life contexts
Use for culture: "That’s a key tenet of how we work."
Use for values: "Integrity is a tenet we won’t compromise."
Use in writing: "State the tenets first, then the tactics."
Common Mistakes
Tenet is different from "tenant" (a renter).
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
noun
Difficulty
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