doctrines

plural of doctrine
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

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 doctrines The Arab Gulf states, meanwhile, are reworking their security doctrines. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026 First, the law takes its time in responding to new technologies, figuring that new tools can be accommodated within existing ideas, rules, and doctrines. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 Because of the boldness of their political positions and doctrines, progressives can be seen as more charismatic than their more centrist counterparts. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026 Other doctrines like predestination (where some people are chosen for salvation and others are damned) have further broken the world into separate spheres. — Casper Ter Kuile, Vox, 16 Sep. 2026 Among them was the revival of medieval doctrines of just war, which subordinated contractual obligations to unilateral claims of moral authority—doctrines that resurfaced during the war on terror to justify pre-emptive attacks and torture. — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026 Greece sees the system as central to modernizing its forces amid tensions with NATO neighbor Turkey, embracing new doctrines to counter ballistic missiles, drones, cyber threats and other evolving forms of warfare. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 As a kid growing up in a religious household, Jean found the strict doctrines of Christianity unconvincing. — Juliet Linderman, Fortune, 16 July 2026 Even Fitz-Gerald’s locker is a callback to his mom’s doctrines. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doctrines
Noun
  • Instead, there are countless influencers, preachers, and personalities who have created niche movements with their own theologies and political alignments.
    — Meghan O’Gieblyn, The New York Review of Books, 11 July 2026
  • But theologies aside, Patmos is also downright breathtaking.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • One key objection was the mature tone of the narrative, in which the child protagonist is directly confronted and endangered by the evils derived from fascist ideologies.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This digital journey potentially shaped the ideologies that formed into a riot on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Far more valuable would be a pivot by the regime’s leadership away from some of the dogmas of its past, and toward reform.
    — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026
  • The Dogma manifesto contains 10 new dogmas.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • But Elinor and Marianne start out with distinct philosophies that Snell brought to the first costume fittings.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Read on for the products, routines, style staples, and parenting philosophies getting her through this season of motherhood.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Few eras of Greek history compare to the ancient times that the country has become so synonymous with—the cinematic fables of Odysseus, comic-book lore of Leonidas, and philosophic creeds of Socrates are ever-present in pop culture.
    — Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
  • In that scene at the end, when the brass band is playing, and everyone’s walking together, all shapes and sizes, colors, creeds, that’s where hope lives.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • David Jolly is the son of a preacher man, but has vowed never to use his religion as a cudgel against anyone’s beliefs.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Chuuraa Evgenia Arbugaeva (UK 2026, 18 min) A Sakha scientist journeys into Siberia’s melting permafrost, where the past emerges alongside ancestral beliefs.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Following the ceremony at City Hall where the NBA champions were given keys to New York City, confetti canons showered the Knicks with paper in the team's colors.
    — Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 18 June 2026
  • As the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, Hawke has found acting success by bestowing her charms in several high-profile projects such as Stranger Things and Inside Out 2 — or, for advanced studies, recent films in the Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson canons.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Doctrines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrines. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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