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 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
  • But while the main character’s mother in that movie was an antagonistic figure, Fatima’s parents are portrayed as kind, not dogmatic or ostentatiously pious.
    Jon Frosch, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
  • The idea is that these positive ideologies should be immune from dogmatic and authoritarian ways of thinking.
    Sean Illing, Vox, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • The Baltimore hardcore band has always pushed back against convention — Glow On mixed everything from samba and funk with alacrity, and genre purists have often balked at their flirtations with the mainstream.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025
  • Key lime pie purists like my mom won’t hear of recipes with cream cheese or sour cream—an authentic Florida key lime pie should be silky and custard-like, not dense or cheesecake-y, and doesn’t require baking.
    Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • From anarchists to orders Antonio Gramsci, the early 20th-century Italian Marxist theorist, expanded the concept of hegemony beyond international relations into a class analysis.
    Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
  • Before long, a loose collection of internet theorists took on the private-messaging channel as an object of investigation.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Jet fuel rolled down the street and the smell of it lingered in the air while authorities worked to extinguish one stubborn car fire that sent smoke billowing up.
    John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • Of course, stubborn coach Tom Thibodeau went with his only play, a Jalen Brunson iso, while the starters huffed and puffed from playing nearly the entire game.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 May 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
  • 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
  • In a four-episode arc premiering Wednesday, Rodriguez will play Pietro, a vivacious and opinionated party planner hired to help Genoa City royalty Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) plot out her big birthday bash.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Some people rely on points and miles, while others are sticklers about booking in advance or researching differential deals on sites like Groupon.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Xavier, who has been presented as a stickler for rules, breaks with protocol and begins his investigation without contacting any other authorities.
    Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Following Meghan's statements, Eldridge is adamant that her relatable role isn't convincing.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
  • In early previews and pre-release memos, the developers have been adamant that, despite targeting a more casual audience with some more forgiving elements, this is meant to be enjoyed by people who have spent hundreds of hours in the main game and its 2024 expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Doctrinaire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrinaire. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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