doctrinaire 1 of 2

doctrinaire

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective doctrinaire contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of doctrinaire are dictatorial, dogmatic, magisterial, and oracular. While all these words mean "imposing one's will or opinions on others," doctrinaire implies a disposition to follow abstract theories in framing laws or policies affecting people.

a doctrinaire approach to improving the economy

When can dictatorial be used instead of doctrinaire?

While in some cases nearly identical to doctrinaire, dictatorial stresses autocratic, high-handed methods and a domineering manner.

exercised dictatorial control over the office

In what contexts can dogmatic take the place of doctrinaire?

The meanings of dogmatic and doctrinaire largely overlap; however, dogmatic implies being unduly and offensively positive in laying down principles and expressing opinions.

dogmatic about what is art and what is not

When might magisterial be a better fit than doctrinaire?

The synonyms magisterial and doctrinaire are sometimes interchangeable, but magisterial stresses assumption or use of prerogatives appropriate to a magistrate or schoolmaster in forcing acceptance of one's opinions.

the magisterial tone of his pronouncements

When is oracular a more appropriate choice than doctrinaire?

The words oracular and doctrinaire are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oracular implies the manner of one who delivers opinions in cryptic phrases or with pompous dogmatism.

a designer who is the oracular voice of fashion

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 doctrinaire
Adjective
Back when Republicans were less doctrinaire, few objected to Ronald Reagan’s legalization through legislation on the status of otherwise law-abiding immigrants who crossed illegally or overstayed. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2024 This doctrinaire and yet thoroughly generic conception of consciousness is, in itself, a bit depressing. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
Noun
Cardinal Robert Sarah – championed by conservatives as reflecting the doctrinaire and liturgically minded papacies of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI – is among those being considered to replace Pope Francis. Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025 The leadership of the Roman Catholic Church now faces a critical decision: choose a new pope who will follow his welcoming and global approach, or restore the more doctrinaire path of his predecessors. Justin Porter, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doctrinaire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doctrinaire
Adjective
  • Ruben Amorim’s dogmatic approach must change Whatever credit Amorim had in the bank has been rapidly used up and his dogmatic devotion to his preferred 3-4-3 formation is starting to grate on many.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Whether through dogmatic stubbornness or sheer conviction, no manager in the Premier League was more wedded to a single setup than Amorim last season.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In a recent interview, Wright shared his thoughts on the controversy generated by comic book purists who were critical of his casting for a role that had been played by white men previously.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Less Buzz, More Intention The coffee world still has its purists.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This is precisely as the great media theorist Marshall McLuhan predicted.
    David G.W. Birch, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Laura Mulvey, the film theorist and filmmaker best known for her seminal essay Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema, will be awarded a BFI Fellowship.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Of all the bad-hair-day culprits, matted hair can be the most stubborn and frustrating.
    Grace McCarty, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Spills can be blotted (never rubbed) with a dry cloth since the fabric is non-absorptive, and for more stubborn stains, dry cleaning is recommended.
    Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Sly had too generous a spirit to be a dogmatist.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Although not a dogmatist, Xi cares deeply about ideology and has even blamed the collapse of the Soviet Union in part on Moscow’s failure to ensure that people took Marxism-Leninism seriously.
    Joseph Torigian, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2024
Noun
  • Evolving risks, shifting business models, emerging technologies—especially the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)—and increasing regulatory complexity require professionals in this field to be agile lifelong learners and critical thinkers.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • For thinkers like Ratti, the time for stopping or slowing climate change has passed, and the time for climate adaptation is upon us.
    Kate Wagner, Curbed, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • When opinionated classmate Arthur (Will Price) gripes about how inclusivity has bumped men like him out of the competitive academic ranks, Maggie is quick to clap back.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Guenther, a longtime fixture of Milwaukee's bar scene, was known for his gruff, obstinate and opinionated temperament.
    Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As carry-on only travelers, Ryan and I are sticklers about efficient packing.
    Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Regardless of what legal-ethics sticklers might think of its business model, the 156-person startup has been growing quickly.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Doctrinaire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrinaire. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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