Definition of dogma
dogmas
alsodogmata
play \-mə-tə\1a : something held as an established opinion; especially : a definite authoritative tenetb : a code of such tenets pedagogical dogmac : 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
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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 of dogma from the Web
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In Heretics, Spinoza also served as the paradigmatic recipient of excommunication, an example of the terrible fate of those who run afoul of dogma.
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That's standard Republicanism, and has grown to be party dogma since the days of Ronald Reagan.
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Blasphemy laws protect religious dogma from ridicule, and therefore the feelings of believers, Mr. Mchangama argues, while hate speech laws protect religious groups from degrading expressions.
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The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) does not ask us to subscribe to specific dogmas, but rather to let our lives speak.
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Institutionalized religion arose as societies grew centralized—from tribes with particular supernatural beliefs into states with dogma that helped maintain order.
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Both positions ran against the small-government, privatization dogma that Mr. Sessions promoted.
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Many elites, having embraced secular progressivism as not merely a political view but a religion, loathe traditional faiths that refuse to yield to its dogmas.
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The party base proved, in this year’s primaries, not only willing to go along with a candidate who called many of its dogmas into question, but perhaps actively supportive of his heretical ideas.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dogma'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Religious dogma and scientific dogma are sometimes at odds, as in arguments between those who believe in the biblical story of creation and those who believe in evolution. Since all dogma resists change, arguments of any kind are harder to resolve when both sides are dogmatic in their beliefs. Dogma and dogmatic are generally used disapprovingly; it's always other people who believe unquestioningly in dogma and who take a dogmatic approach to important issues.
Origin and Etymology of dogma
Latin dogmat-, dogma, from Greek, from dokein to seem — more at decent
First Known Use: 1534
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra
DOGMA Defined for English Language Learners
dogma
playDefinition of dogma for English Language Learners
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: a belief or set of beliefs that is accepted by the members of a group without being questioned or doubted
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: a belief or set of beliefs that is taught by a religious organization
DOGMA Defined for Kids
dogma
playDefinition of dogma for Students
1 : something firmly believed She repeated medical dogma against eating sugar.
2 : a belief or set of beliefs taught by a church
Learn More about dogma
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dogma Spanish Central: Translation of dogma Nglish: Translation of dogma for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dogma for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dogma
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