1
as in principles
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 philosophies
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
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
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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The puck needs to be on their stick as much as possible, with the new coach’s philosophies aimed at creating more opportunities to play fast, attack in transition and generate extra possessions.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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The book offers meticulously detailed how-to information from soil fertility and seed saving to Bonsall’s sustainable philosophies on life.—
Catherine Habgood
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This set the stage for what has come to be called The Big Sort, the self-segregation of people into neighborhoods where residents shared the same political and religious ideologies.—
Ron Barrett,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
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Some colleagues believe Cooper, now in charge of Brondby, is unfairly viewed as a negative coach, especially when compared to others like Vincent Kompany and Russell Martin, who stuck to their ideologies at Burnley and Southampton, yet were not able to make their teams competitive.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Daniels also said the bill could conflict with the higher education overhaul, Senate Bill 1, which prohibits universities from taking a position on controversial beliefs or policies.—
Jessie Balmert,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
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For Hughes, the university’s mission should be about equipping students to think critically rather than insulating them from professors’ political beliefs.—
Julia Bonavita , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Doctrines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrines. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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