dogma

noun

dog·​ma ˈdȯg-mə How to pronounce dogma (audio)
ˈdäg-
plural dogmas also dogmata ˈdȯg-mə-tə How to pronounce dogma (audio)
ˈdäg-
1
a
: something held as an established opinion
especially : a definite authoritative tenet
b
: a code of such tenets
pedagogical dogma
c
: a point of view or tenet put forth as authoritative without adequate grounds
2
: a doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church

Examples of dogma in a Sentence

The Saudi regime has tried to deflect questions about its management of the country … by supporting and spreading an uncompromising religious dogma. Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2001
He was known for his ability to burst the bubble of generally accepted dogma, to puncture it with data and detached observations. Sherwin B. Nuland, New Republic, 19 Feb. 2001
It had long been biological dogma that whales were scarce in the open ocean, but the Navy was picking up whale songs thousands of miles from land. Sharon Begley et al., Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2000
For in creating a cultural orthodoxy designed to combat racism, urban disorder, and a legacy of oppression, we subject ourselves to delusional dogma, the tyranny of conformity … Gerald Early, Harper's, January 1997
These new findings challenge the current dogma in the field. the Catholic dogma of the bodily assumption of the Virgin Mary
Recent Examples on the Web Bryan appealed to the Christian faith of his southern audience, arguing that only through adherence to dogma would America be preserved. John Kaag, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2024 As in most establishments, dogma protects the interests of the main players. Gregory Maniatis, Foreign Affairs, 27 July 2022 In light of the past week’s fixations, I’m tempted to think of the New York essay as an unwitting wrench in the conservative dogma uniting those other two pet controversies. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2024 The community now revolves around what McMaster calls 2024 kinds of values, not rooted in dogma or scripture; while its curriculum draws much of its inspiration from Christian teachings, speakers represent multiple faith traditions. Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dogma 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dogma.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin dogmat-, dogma, from Greek, from dokein to seem — more at decent

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dogma was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near dogma

Cite this Entry

“Dogma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dogma. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

dogma

noun
dog·​ma ˈdȯg-mə How to pronounce dogma (audio)
ˈdäg-
plural dogmas also dogmata -mət-ə How to pronounce dogma (audio)
1
: something considered as an established opinion
2
: a belief or body of beliefs concerning faith or morals laid down by a church

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