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
  • One memorable moment comes early, when another call between Polly and her mother tilts into dread as the voice on the phone morphs into a more callous, sinister being.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Jonathan and Mina Harker return to Transylvania with their teenage daughter, Quincey — only for her to be ensnared in the castle’s sinister games.
    Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Eddington contains a number of images, story points and themes that struck a chord at the time of its theatrical release in July 2025, but a number of them have proven to be quite prophetic of more recent events within America’s fraught political landscape.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
  • In its choice to honor his prophetic body of work, the Nobel committee has broadcast a reminder that the political relevance of art lies, paradoxically, in its sense of feeling apart from time.
    Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Later, chugging string figures and portentous drones have the flavor of Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • His pre-teen son in tow, Luis joins up with a crusty group of dancers who are heading to a secret party in the heart of the desert, where the beats will be loud enough to drown out the sounds of the apocalyptic war that’s brewing around them.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Season 1 left us with a very apocalyptic arrival and a very clear tease of Gambit serving as this Angel of Death role.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There are far more menacing 4X space game series out there, but Galactic Civilizations is an extremely welcoming experience for new players while still offering a bunch of depth and strategic choices for players to make.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
  • If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These will get stronger and more predictive as the season rolls along.
    Jake Ciely, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The film starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal premiered at Telluride in late August and and wowed Toronto a week later, going on to win its predictive People’s Choice Award.
    Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 9 Oct. 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 16 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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