dogma

noun dog·ma \ ˈdȯg-mə , ˈdäg- \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Examples: dogma in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of dogma

plural dogmas also dogmata play \-mə-tə\

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

See dogma defined for English-language learners

See dogma defined for kids

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

After a February school shooting in Florida, Trump briefly strayed from gun rights dogma, but quickly backpedaled.

— jonathan lemire, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump to meet with families of victims of Texas school shooting," 31 May 2018
Her quick conversion to the dogma of sustainability may be genetic.

— tamar adler, Vogue, "The Young Farmers Behind Puerto Rico’s Food Revolution," 20 June 2018
Taken alone, each of these diet dogmas snatches up only 3 to 10 percent of the population.

— sophie egan, chicagotribune.com, "Paleo, keto, fasting, Whole30: Why food tribes are on the rise," 17 May 2018
Trump briefly strayed from gun-rights dogma after the Parkland shooting, but quickly backpedaled.

— NBC News, "Trump meets with families affected by Texas shooting, mother calls him 'toddler'," 1 June 2018
Teachers’ victories are the latest sign that the dogma of growth through tax cuts and austerity is losing appeal.

— margaret newkirk, Bloomberg.com, "The Kochs Helped Slash State Taxes. Now Teachers Are in the Streets," 16 May 2018
The breakfast taco is proof that diversity, adaptation, and inclusion, rather than the dogma of authenticity and segregation, inspire greatness.

— alex delany, Bon Appetit, "I Ate 26 Tacos to Find the Best Breakfast Taco in Austin," 27 Mar. 2018
One of the dogmas of American schooling is the importance of critical thinking, a slogan dutifully cited by Chinese applicants to Fryeburg in their interviews.

— New York Times, "Review: ‘Maineland’ Considers America With Help From Chinese Students," 14 Mar. 2018
Instead of defaulting solely to the existing canon, educators could promote a more investigative and research-driven approach to history rather than one that asserts dogma.

— diana budds, Curbed, "How architecture can rebuild itself post #MeToo," 21 May 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1534

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

dogma Synonyms

Synonyms

canon, doctrine;

Related Words

canon law;

belief, conviction, tenet;

credo, creed, ideology (also idealogy), philosophy, theology;

axiom, precept, principle;

symbol;

Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms

Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra

DOGMA Defined for English Language Learners

dogma

noun

Definition of dogma for English Language Learners

: a belief or set of beliefs that is accepted by the members of a group without being questioned or doubted
: a belief or set of beliefs that is taught by a religious organization