pontifical

adjective

Definition of pontificalnext
as in opinionative
given to or marked by the forceful expression of strongly held opinions a theater critic known for his pontifical pronouncements on what is or is not worth seeing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pontifical The bishops further authorized a new edition of the Roman Pontifical for pontifical Masses, expected to be completed by 2027, with Vatican approval pending for some rites, according to the Catholic News Agency. — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025 In its report, the pontifical commission highlights failures in the Italian church. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025 The sprawling roughly 2,000-year-old property includes ancient Roman archaeological sites, farmlands, pontifical villas and lush papal gardens, with areas for organic farming and regenerative cultivation. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025 Related Articles For the past 40-plus years in the Philippines, Natori’s mother Angelita Cruz has been very close to the nuncios (who act as pontifical ambassadors), the designer said. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pontifical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pontifical
  1. opinionated
  2. dogmatic
  3. stubborn
  4. adamant
  5. doctrinaire
Adjective
  • Authentic, opinionated posts from real people will always outperform polished brand content.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Acosta’s writing was politically engaged and openly opinionated.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
Definition of opinionated
Adjective
  • This dogmatic approach to revolutionary citizenship led to the horrible treatment of any perceived as nonconformist, such as LGBTQ people, hippies or punks.
    — Juan Carlos Albarran, The Conversation, 13 July 2026
  • Volatile, quarrelsome, dogmatic, and sure of his own brilliance, Reinhold outraged patrons, amassed huge debts, and turned his eldest son into an exhausted workhorse.
    — Jenny Uglow, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026
Definition of dogmatic
Adjective
  • His crippling, his stubborn arrogance and refusal to be humbled, has somehow humanized the spoiled brat king.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • However, Sokolowski says oxygen bleach is a suitable option for lifting stubborn stains.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • This summer has been challenging, yet Newcastle are adamant that their 85 per cent majority owner, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is determined to spend up to the maximum within the rules moving forward.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • And while an old Interceptor would be a pretty dumb platform to build a track car with, Jensen’s new management is adamant that this is not the revival of the old Interceptor.
    — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 16 July 2026
Definition of adamant
Adjective
  • But its message for young women may have evolved into something slightly less doctrinaire, and perhaps even less explicitly political.
    — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
  • On the left, Anderson trots out stock characters — the oversexed Black woman revolutionary, Leo's cuckolded white stoner, doctrinaire newcomers — from a Bob Hope skit about hippies.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of doctrinaire

Browse Nearby Words

pons asinorums
pontifical
pontificate
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Cite this Entry

“Pontifical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pontifical. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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