animating principle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This is the animating principle behind Teen Line, which connects children and adolescents in extremis with trained volunteers from Los Angeles high schools.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2023

It has put together a string of projects whose animating principle is asking “Who will survive in America?”

From New York Times • Oct. 27, 2020

There’s one glaring exception, a Nick Fury–style introduction of Rose Rita Pottinger, a character who eventually starred in her own Bellairs novel—but it’s more of a misstep than an animating principle.

From Slate • Sep. 20, 2018

In short, Devoy kept freedom for Ireland the animating principle of his life.

From Time • Apr. 24, 2016

With no less than the animating principle of the universe: “azoth,” the secret essence alchemists had sought for centuries.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor