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
Two people in the same local assembly may share similar doctrines but be at odds over the efficacy of modern scientific medicine, especially vaccines.
—
Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
Prevailing economic doctrines proved flawed.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
Thad Kousser, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego, said the conference rarely produces sweeping policy doctrines but can build relationships that matter when crises cross state lines.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 19 Feb. 2026
Those in support of the bill argue that the Bible's teachings informed the nation's core doctrines, and that the Ten Commandments offer needed moral reinforcement for schoolchildren.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
Legal challenges to constitutional doctrines underpinning the modern American administrative state wend their way through increasingly sympathetic courts, promising sweeping changes to the ways our most important institutions act.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
The larger point here is that the new justice and the governor are strong advocates of literalism and originalism — legal doctrines holding that constitutions and laws should be read precisely as the authors wrote and understood them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
What Structural Integration Would Look Like The good news is that avoiding that outcome does not require sweeping new doctrines.
—Robert Ginsburg, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
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
Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
Prevailing economic doctrines proved flawed.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
Thad Kousser, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego, said the conference rarely produces sweeping policy doctrines but can build relationships that matter when crises cross state lines.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 19 Feb. 2026
Those in support of the bill argue that the Bible's teachings informed the nation's core doctrines, and that the Ten Commandments offer needed moral reinforcement for schoolchildren.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
Legal challenges to constitutional doctrines underpinning the modern American administrative state wend their way through increasingly sympathetic courts, promising sweeping changes to the ways our most important institutions act.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
The larger point here is that the new justice and the governor are strong advocates of literalism and originalism — legal doctrines holding that constitutions and laws should be read precisely as the authors wrote and understood them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
What Structural Integration Would Look Like The good news is that avoiding that outcome does not require sweeping new doctrines.
—Robert Ginsburg, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doctrines
Noun
-
If there’s a genuine, committed, energetic movement to evolve these theologies, there are huge opportunities.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In reality, these online communities often promote harmful attitudes and ideologies, which position feminism—that is, the pursuit of gender equality—as a direct threat to men’s sociopolitical status and well-being.—
Lucy Morgan,
Glamour,
13 Mar. 2026
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That’s because local media campaigns that reflect different political ideologies and community priorities may have a better chance of influencing the public.—
Angela Hart,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While they were aligned on (mostly) monochromatic looks, the sisters had different dogmas about their bags.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
-
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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Learning something new could inspire major personal growth, particularly around your internal philosophies.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
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Having O’Leary and Frost as college coaches gave Sprenkel quite a spectrum of philosophies in leadership.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Cultures and creeds were never the true engines of bloodshed—and aren’t in our day, either.—
Josef Joffe,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
-
All denominations across all creeds, all colors.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Moon, planet of emotions, soars into your 9th House of Philosophy today, encouraging you to explore ideas, cultures, or beliefs that soften sharp edges.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
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The moderator also congratulated all nominees and the presenters and winners who expressed their beliefs on air.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Solak continued, saying that Smith’s arrest would be investigated by diocese officials and follow church canons that handle clergy misconduct.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
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The Stockholm Series reminded me that one function of canons is to create solidarity.—
Colton Valentine,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Doctrines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrines. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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