as in dogmatic
given to or marked by the forceful expression of strongly held opinions
a doctrinaire conservative, the columnist takes special delight in baiting liberals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in purist
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in theorist
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of doctrinaire
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2024
This doctrinaire and yet thoroughly generic conception of consciousness is, in itself, a bit depressing.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Such preachy, doctrinaire, often repellant art may be made to draw attention to this or that social issue, but it is surely not produced to entertain.
—Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doctrinaire
Adjective
Back when Republicans were less doctrinaire, few objected to Ronald Reagan’s legalization through legislation on the status of otherwise law-abiding immigrants who crossed illegally or overstayed.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2024
This doctrinaire and yet thoroughly generic conception of consciousness is, in itself, a bit depressing.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
Noun
Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn Schoenborn, 80, the archbishop of Vienna, was a student of Benedict’s, and thus on paper seems to have the doctrinaire academic chops to appeal to conservatives.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Such preachy, doctrinaire, often repellant art may be made to draw attention to this or that social issue, but it is surely not produced to entertain.
—Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doctrinaire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doctrinaire
Adjective
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Nobody should be shocked that someone as dogmatic as Greta Thunberg failed to reach a sudden moral epiphany about Zionism by the end of her journey.—
The Editors,
National Review,
11 June 2025
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Others warn that dogmatic students could replace one set of self-serving historical narratives – Sheikh Hasina’s version – with their own.—
Simon Montlake,
Christian Science Monitor,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Verne purists won’t be pleased, because the tragic aura that surrounded Nemo in the novels doesn’t exactly translate here, and the adaptation’s company story line is so overwhelming while ultimately feeling too rapidly resolved.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
25 June 2025
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The soccer purists in the London club’s end were surely aghast at the playing of music to celebrate a goal – another very American trend that has increasingly been used by clubs around the world, much to the chagrin of hardcore supporters.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Jaws was released just as critics and political theorists were examining the growing impact of degreed experts on the United States’ economy and culture.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2025
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Richard Veasey, The Future Lasts Forever: A Memoir The French political theorist Althusser famously murdered his wife and, deemed mentally unfit, avoided a trial and was assigned a guardian.—
Diana Arterian
June 20,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Then Curry, rattled by the monumental reverb of Kyrie’s shot, hurried into a stubborn approach on the ensuing possession, missed a desperate 3 over Kevin Love, who used his length and a rare display of defensive intensity to deny Curry a good look.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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All of which can be employed by Musk or anyone else using AI to target us with false political advertising tailored to our most stubborn biases, further dividing us, manipulating elections and solidifying what has already become a fascist state.—
Sal Recchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2025
Noun
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Sly had too generous a spirit to be a dogmatist.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
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Although not a dogmatist, Xi cares deeply about ideology and has even blamed the collapse of the Soviet Union in part on Moscow’s failure to ensure that people took Marxism-Leninism seriously.—
Joseph Torigian,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2024
Adjective
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The show premiered Saturday, April 12, and follows three successful Black men on a quest for love—each with a very opinionated mother (or mother figure) tagging along for the entire ride.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
16 Apr. 2025
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For being such an opinionated, sure person, this is an element in my life that I’ve never been superattached to a yes or no answer.—
Lulu Garcia-Navarro,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Wilson had always been a stickler in the studio, the perfectionist who kept repeating takes, bean-counters be damned, until the song felt right.—
Elias Leight,
Billboard,
18 June 2025
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My mom was a stickler for whole foods, locally sourced and nutrient-dense.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Football has typically accepted these lapses and quietly moved on, adamant that the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PED) is primarily a problem for other sports.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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It’s become the latest project that’s caused high tension among Prairie Village residents — with a new group that’s formed to rally residents to push against the city’s plans, while others are adamant for its approval.—
Taylor O’Connor,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doctrinaire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrinaire. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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