doctrinal

adjective

Definition of doctrinalnext
as in philosophical

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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 doctrinal Formal doctrinal talks between Rome and the SSPX later stalled over disagreements on the authority of the Second Vatican Council and modern Church teachings. — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026 Formed in 1994, the fellowship has increasingly served as a forum for traditionalist provinces to coordinate responses to doctrinal disputes. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026 This air-to-sea command transfer represents a doctrinal advance. — Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026 From public safety to regime protection The transformation was not only structural but doctrinal. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for doctrinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doctrinal
  1. philosophical
  2. dogmatic
  3. ideological
  4. conceptual
  5. theoretical
  6. pontifical
Adjective
  • The problem of longevity possesses philosophical and practical contradictions, now heightened by the gradual disappearance of artists of Serra’s generation and the uncertain posthumous legacy of their work.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Becca Rothfeld reports from the (surprisingly philosophical) Pro-Human Assembly.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of philosophical
Adjective
  • In 1976, after signing a petition in support of Wilfried Linke, a fellow student expelled from the college for criticizing the dogmatic ideological orientation of Marxist-Leninist instruction, she herself was expelled.
    — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As young and upcoming English coaches go, Lampard, 48, is far from dogmatic.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of dogmatic
Adjective
  • Analysts cited by the Los Angeles Times described Latino shifts toward Trump as reflecting disillusionment with Democrats’ economic and immigration messaging, rather than a durable ideological conversion to Trumpism.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Andrade stopped short of calling Hope Florida an ideological project.
    — Sharmila Venkatasubban, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of ideological
Adjective
  • From Disruption Management To Business Continuity The shift that airlines need to make is both conceptual and technological.
    — Abha Dogra, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • However, sparse physical controls force heavy reliance on voice commands or the companion app, and the broader conceptual AI features fall short of being genuinely useful.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of conceptual
Adjective
  • And if people don’t have the agency to use either effectively, much of the theoretical value stays theoretical.
    — Prithvi Singh Shergill, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • In some versions of this test, the option to self-medicate came at a cost, either to the success of its task or as a theoretical attack on the user.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • In another decree published Monday, Leo canceled Francis’ plans to move some of the Vatican’s secret archives and library holdings out of the city state and onto the grounds of a pontifical university across town.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Leo opened his visit to Pompeii by meeting with sick and disabled people who are cared for by a charity center affiliated with the sanctuary, which Leo’s namesake, Pope Leo XIII, declared a pontifical basilica in 1901.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of pontifical

Browse Nearby Words

doctrinaires
doctrinal
doctrine
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Cite this Entry

“Doctrinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrinal. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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