doctrine

noun

ˈdäk-trən How to pronounce doctrine (audio)
Definition of doctrinenext
1
as in theology
a statement or body of statements concerning faith or morals proclaimed by a church the Catholic Church's doctrine on the Eucharist

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2
as in ideology
the basic beliefs or guiding principles of a person or group the doctrine of quantum physicists

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 doctrine Instead, American doctrine was based on credibly threatening nuclear retaliation. — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Long before the official ban on private farming was lifted in 1982, peasants across China spontaneously reintroduced private ownership in defiance of socialist doctrine. — Rainer Zitelmann, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Skinner pleaded guilty under the Alford doctrine to health insurance fraud. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026 Catholic doctrine holds that Mary’s virginity was preserved before, during, and after childbirth. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for doctrine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doctrine
  1. theology
  2. ideology
  3. principle
  4. philosophy
  5. dogma
Noun
  • Paxton's stump speeches routinely allege Talarico's liberal theology doesn't reflect Scripture.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Sullivan said schools of theology are particularly good places to study the ethics of AI.
    — Yonat Shimron, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of theology
Noun
  • Still, several academics told me that research conducted in the past few years has shown a fairly strong association between ideology and fertility.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Wars cannot be fought on ideology alone – a truism that perhaps led to the firebrand former defense minister’s departure, after months of clashes and refusing to deal with the army top brass, as Zelensky describes it.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of ideology
Noun
  • The agency issued nonbinding guidelines for dosing studies in 2024 and has incorporated Project Optimus principles into the approval process for new cancer drugs, said Health and Human Services spokesperson Emily Hilliard.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Lampard’s Coventry absolutely have tactical principles and ideas which suit underdog football and survival.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of principle
Noun
  • As part of a social study, Manila spent five months interviewing Rodríguez for the philosophy department at the University of Palma de Mallorca.
    — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • That philosophy shows up throughout the entire property, from local artwork and community programming to the restaurants and public spaces that draw neighborhood regulars alongside hotel guests.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of philosophy
Noun
  • The dogma has it that what California is doing today, the rest of the United States will be doing tomorrow; and, of course, whatever the United States is doing tomorrow, the whole world will be doing the day after.
    — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
  • The assertion, if true, would overturn decades of cosmic dogma.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 9 July 2026
Definition of dogma

Browse Nearby Words

doctrinal
doctrine
doctrines
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Cite this Entry

“Doctrine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrine. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on doctrine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about doctrine

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