oracular

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective oracular contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of oracular are dictatorial, doctrinaire, dogmatic, and magisterial. While all these words mean "imposing one's will or opinions on others," oracular implies the manner of one who delivers opinions in cryptic phrases or with pompous dogmatism.

a designer who is the oracular voice of fashion

When could dictatorial be used to replace oracular?

The meanings of dictatorial and oracular largely overlap; however, dictatorial stresses autocratic, high-handed methods and a domineering manner.

exercised dictatorial control over the office

Where would doctrinaire be a reasonable alternative to oracular?

Although the words doctrinaire and oracular have much in common, doctrinaire implies a disposition to follow abstract theories in framing laws or policies affecting people.

a doctrinaire approach to improving the economy

When is dogmatic a more appropriate choice than oracular?

The words dogmatic and oracular can be used in similar contexts, but dogmatic implies being unduly and offensively positive in laying down principles and expressing opinions.

dogmatic about what is art and what is not

When would magisterial be a good substitute for oracular?

The synonyms magisterial and oracular are sometimes interchangeable, but magisterial stresses assumption or use of prerogatives appropriate to a magistrate or schoolmaster in forcing acceptance of one's opinions.

the magisterial tone of his pronouncements

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 oracular To this day a lively, biting, macabre comedy that was controversial in its time (and banned in Franco-era Spain for its anti-elite subtext), yet its core themes still resonate with uncanny oracular power. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 July 2025 Eisenberg completed an eerie song praising West Elm as an oracular realm, then asked Scardino to write a short monologue to set it up. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 Grade’s novels aren’t oracular, the way the section on postwar Vilna in his memoir was. Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025 Lynch plays Cole as a secular prophet, a grand and monumental presence dispensing wisdom and judgment with a self-deprecating yet oracular intensity. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oracular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oracular
Adjective
  • Is their entire a life a facade for something more sinister?
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Drawn in by her fortune and allure, Calvin accepts an invitation aboard her superyacht Eternity, only to realize her glamorous world hides sinister secrets.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The words turned out to be prophetic.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Le Bon strikes me as similarly prophetic.
    Rumaan Alam, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the final novel of the series, The Last Battle, the destruction of trees and dryads in Lantern Waste, a place tied to the creation of Narnia itself, is one of many portentous omens signalling the end of the world.
    Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The imposing gothic details of Victor’s castle-laboratory—a portentous warrior-angel statue that comes to life, a screaming Medusa rondel carved in stone—vibrate with gloomy baroque majesty.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The immersive versions are being designed to transport audiences into gothic horror, post-apocalyptic survival and futuristic rebellion settings.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
  • There's a different take on a post apocalyptic universe where the world is made of plastic and not garbage.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Additional revelations hint of Kiri's evolving powers, the menacing Quaritch bonding with Varang to help defeat the Na'vi, a spectacular air/sea clash between the Ash People, the RDA, and the Na’vi, and Spider threatening to kill someone offscreen.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Who’s messing with the lights and filling the air with menacing rumbles and zaps?
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These will get stronger and more predictive as the season rolls along.
    Jake Ciely, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the executive order on crime mobilizes federal, state and local agencies to use predictive analytics and AI to identify potential threats and maintain public order.
    Kate Caldwell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Still, Ortega’s performance proves that sulky, baleful gravity doesn’t have to lose its strange luster over time (a third season has already been announced).
    Tom Gliatto, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Orange County officials are the most recent to come under his baleful gaze.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oracular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oracular. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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