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doctrinal

adjective

doc·​trin·​al ˈdäk-trə-nᵊl How to pronounce doctrinal (audio)
especially British
däk-ˈtrī- How to pronounce doctrinal (audio)
Synonyms of doctrinalnext
: of, relating to, or preoccupied with doctrine
doctrinally adverb

Examples of doctrinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Two commissions studying the question of women in the diaconate, keeping discernment alive even without doctrinal change. Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025 Emperor Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea, bringing bishops from across the Roman Empire to resolve a doctrinal crisis over how to explain Jesus' relation to God. Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 28 Nov. 2025 But the decree also comes amid a rise of polyamory in Western countries, which has generated pastoral and doctrinal questions for clergy and the faithful. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025 The cognitive dissonance problem Beyond the statutory and doctrinal debates, Wednesday’s argument revealed a striking tension between the administration’s courtroom position and the president’s own rhetoric. James Sample, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doctrinal

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doctrinal was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Doctrinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doctrinal. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

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