1
as in theologies
a statement or body of statements concerning faith or morals proclaimed by a church
the Catholic Church's doctrine on the Eucharist
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in ideologies
the basic beliefs or guiding principles of a person or group
the doctrine of quantum physicists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of doctrines
The hysteria about a superior race, the insistence that all would be well if one insidious group was purged—those doctrines had been entirely defeated.
—
Joan Silber, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
Fundamental philosophical and religious doctrines emerged in China, India, and the Middle East, along with Greece.
—Big Think, 16 Nov. 2025
The Fed chair’s grounding in history liberated him from rigid doctrines and encouraged innovative policymaking.
—John T. Shaw, Twin Cities, 5 Nov. 2025
To operate effectively, coalition forces need joint doctrines, training cycles, and logistics systems.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Some of these nations have strategic doctrines that include launching disruptive or even destructive cyberattacks on such non-military targets in the run-up to conflict.
—Jim Richberg, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
While contestants form their own codes of ethics and unspoken social doctrines, the villa speaks its own design language, which guides the behavior of the islanders and keeps the show running smoothly.
—Tayler Adigun, Architectural Digest, 24 Aug. 2025
This was because new doctrines such as Luther’s, and later John Calvin’s, did not spread evenly through European populations.
—Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
Joan Silber, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
Fundamental philosophical and religious doctrines emerged in China, India, and the Middle East, along with Greece.
—Big Think, 16 Nov. 2025
The Fed chair’s grounding in history liberated him from rigid doctrines and encouraged innovative policymaking.
—John T. Shaw, Twin Cities, 5 Nov. 2025
To operate effectively, coalition forces need joint doctrines, training cycles, and logistics systems.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Some of these nations have strategic doctrines that include launching disruptive or even destructive cyberattacks on such non-military targets in the run-up to conflict.
—Jim Richberg, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
While contestants form their own codes of ethics and unspoken social doctrines, the villa speaks its own design language, which guides the behavior of the islanders and keeps the show running smoothly.
—Tayler Adigun, Architectural Digest, 24 Aug. 2025
This was because new doctrines such as Luther’s, and later John Calvin’s, did not spread evenly through European populations.
—Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doctrines
Noun
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In her hands, cultivating counter-ideologies is a way for the vulnerable to hone their intuition, to trust themselves.—
Niela Orr,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
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Times of amazing progress, but also worrying backslides to dogmatic tribal ideologies and an extremely uncertain future.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There’s a common, but untrue, narrative that certain sets of scientific dogmas, like the Earth being stationary and the center of the Universe, could not be challenged.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The couple immersed themselves in his philosophies, maintaining correspondence with the controversial leader.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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The questions for the Washington Commanders’ next offensive coordinator can be about philosophies and systems and tenets and all the buzzwords associated with getting 11 players to move the ball effectively.—
Barry Svrluga,
Washington Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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High-profile stars and politicians of all creeds have been up in arms and ABC owner Disney has come in for particularly stern criticism over the very live situation.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
22 Sep. 2025
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Antisemites denounced Jews both as capitalists and as communists—two creeds international in scope.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The latter movie musical, directed and co-written by Mona Fastvold, tells the story of the titular founder of the Shakers, who brought her religious beliefs from England to America in the 18th century.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Candid figure on war, civil rights and religion Beyond the boxing ring, Ali was outspoken about his beliefs when many Black Americans were still fighting to be heard.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Both male and female idols (and the crowds) are drenched by water canons throughout the festival.—
Jae-Ha Kim,
Rolling Stone,
8 Dec. 2025
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It is eventually revealed that Kawaji was also the man who gave the order to fire canons at the Battle of Toba–Fushimi, killing samurai on both sides after the outcome had been decided.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
13 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doctrines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrines. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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