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
Relevance
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
Evidence recovered during the investigation included multiple books related to extremist ideologies — spanning right- and left-wing extremism, environmental extremism, white supremacy and anti-government beliefs — as well as explosive materials and components, according to McMahill.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Multiple books were found in Maloney's hotel room related to extremist ideologies, including right- and left-wing extremism, environmental extremism, white supremacy and anti-government ideology.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Candidates came ready to talk seriously about the most pressing issues of the day, even when their philosophies differed dramatically from ours.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Established in 1941 as the Mentalphysics Spiritual Teaching and Retreat Center, it was founded to bring Eastern philosophies to Western audiences.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
23 Feb. 2026
-
For many people, their Google search history contains some of their most personal thoughts, from health issues and political beliefs to financial decisions and spending patterns.—
Mark Scolforo,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Stockholm Series reminded me that one function of canons is to create solidarity.—
Colton Valentine,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Both male and female idols (and the crowds) are drenched by water canons throughout the festival.—
Jae-Ha Kim,
Rolling Stone,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doctrines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrines. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
