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
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
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
  • Weiss, the entrepreneurial and opinionated co-founder of The Free Press website, is an irresistible story to the media chattering classes.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Social media, in Tranter’s view, had been overrun by music listeners (especially gay ones) acting a little too opinionated.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Parisian purists say the move betrays the artistry and craftsmanship of France’s tradition of couture.
    NPR, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Language purists like to remind anyone who will listen that decimation actually means the slaughter of one in ten people, and was the military punishment wielded by the Roman army against deserters and mutineers.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In his study of hypocrisy, the political theorist David Runciman argues that the real terror lies when the masks are gone.
    Shadi Hamid, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The reason for Emma Stone’s bald head, Bugonia stars Stone as a pharmaceutical CEO who is abducted by conspiracy-theorist cousins Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and Don (Aidan Delbis).
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The contrast from the dogmatic style of Ange Postecoglou over the previous two seasons is well-established by now.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
  • 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
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
  • Greek Revival Greece and its ancient thinkers play a big role.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
  • This program prepares students to be leaders who are critical, analytical thinkers who know how to understand and respond to today’s complex global threats.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That tone—of pain, of surprise, of a stubborn refusal to be reduced or diminished—is everywhere in it.
    Questlove, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
  • If the stain is stubborn, add a few drops of dish soap to the water and vinegar mixture.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In addition to being a stickler for city ordinances, Rader was known to participate heavily in outside activities like leading his son’s Cub Scout group and doing administrative tasks at the Christ Lutheran Church.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Our mother had been a stickler for our family lunches every Sunday.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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