as in dogmatic
given to or marked by the forceful expression of strongly held opinions
a doctrinaire conservative, the columnist takes special delight in baiting liberals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in purist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in theorist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Such preachy, doctrinaire, often repellant art may be made to draw attention to this or that social issue, but it is surely not produced to entertain.
—Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for doctrinaire
Adjective
Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn Schoenborn, 80, the archbishop of Vienna, was a student of Benedict’s, and thus on paper seems to have the doctrinaire academic chops to appeal to conservatives.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Such preachy, doctrinaire, often repellant art may be made to draw attention to this or that social issue, but it is surely not produced to entertain.
—Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for doctrinaire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doctrinaire
Adjective
-
Nobody should be shocked that someone as dogmatic as Greta Thunberg failed to reach a sudden moral epiphany about Zionism by the end of her journey.—
The Editors,
National Review,
11 June 2025
-
Others warn that dogmatic students could replace one set of self-serving historical narratives – Sheikh Hasina’s version – with their own.—
Simon Montlake,
Christian Science Monitor,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
That, of course, will infuriate Big Six purists who hate all things about the Sun Belt’s decade-long dominance of the NHL.—
Adam H. Beasley,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2025
-
While some purists worry that complexity will undermine Bitcoin’s resilience, others argue that expanding its utility is essential to staying relevant.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Jaws was released just as critics and political theorists were examining the growing impact of degreed experts on the United States’ economy and culture.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2025
-
Richard Veasey, The Future Lasts Forever: A Memoir The French political theorist Althusser famously murdered his wife and, deemed mentally unfit, avoided a trial and was assigned a guardian.—
Diana Arterian
June 20,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Then Curry, rattled by the monumental reverb of Kyrie’s shot, hurried into a stubborn approach on the ensuing possession, missed a desperate 3 over Kevin Love, who used his length and a rare display of defensive intensity to deny Curry a good look.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
-
All of which can be employed by Musk or anyone else using AI to target us with false political advertising tailored to our most stubborn biases, further dividing us, manipulating elections and solidifying what has already become a fascist state.—
Sal Recchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 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
Adjective
-
The show premiered Saturday, April 12, and follows three successful Black men on a quest for love—each with a very opinionated mother (or mother figure) tagging along for the entire ride.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
16 Apr. 2025
-
For being such an opinionated, sure person, this is an element in my life that I’ve never been superattached to a yes or no answer.—
Lulu Garcia-Navarro,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
My mom was a stickler for whole foods, locally sourced and nutrient-dense.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
20 May 2025
-
Not usually a stickler for this sort of thing, but Phoebe’s phone doesn’t have a passcode.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Football has typically accepted these lapses and quietly moved on, adamant that the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PED) is primarily a problem for other sports.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
It’s become the latest project that’s caused high tension among Prairie Village residents — with a new group that’s formed to rally residents to push against the city’s plans, while others are adamant for its approval.—
Taylor O’Connor,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doctrinaire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrinaire. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share