as in dogmatical
given to or marked by the forceful expression of strongly held opinions
a theater critic known for his pontifical pronouncements on what is or is not worth seeing
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Recent Examples of pontifical
The only pontifical name that hasn't been used more than once is Peter, the name of the first pope, though there's no prohibition against doing so.
—
Christopher Watson, ABC News, 8 May 2025
Gregory and Benedict are also popular pontifical names with 16 and 15 uses, respectively,while Innocent and Leo come close behind with 13 uses each.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Francis had established the Holy See’s first pontifical commission for the protection of minors early on in his reign.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Turkson resigned from that role in 2021 and was appointed to head two pontifical academies on sciences and social sciences.
—Philip Pullella, Crispian Balmer, Alvise Armellini, Joshua McElwee and Chris Scicluna, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
The prose is confiding and, in places, pontifical.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2020
That revelation, coupled with other recent pontifical critiques, have quickly dissolved the notion that the Dec. 31 death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a symbolic leader of the church’s conservative wing, might lessen the opposition to Francis.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2023
Because of its original purpose, however, the building also has its peculiarities: the pontifical horses lived in grand style on two levels of soaring stalls, connected by a monumental, gently sloping ramp of travertine bricks.
—Ingrid D. Rowland, The New York Review of Books, 20 Aug. 2020
The prevailing view of Wordsworth—pontifical, orthodox, austere—was entrenched by the Victorians, who praised him for the very qualities the Younger Romantics had mocked.
—Matthew Bevis, Harper's Magazine, 23 June 2020
Christopher Watson, ABC News, 8 May 2025
Gregory and Benedict are also popular pontifical names with 16 and 15 uses, respectively,while Innocent and Leo come close behind with 13 uses each.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Francis had established the Holy See’s first pontifical commission for the protection of minors early on in his reign.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Turkson resigned from that role in 2021 and was appointed to head two pontifical academies on sciences and social sciences.
—Philip Pullella, Crispian Balmer, Alvise Armellini, Joshua McElwee and Chris Scicluna, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
The prose is confiding and, in places, pontifical.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2020
That revelation, coupled with other recent pontifical critiques, have quickly dissolved the notion that the Dec. 31 death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a symbolic leader of the church’s conservative wing, might lessen the opposition to Francis.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2023
Because of its original purpose, however, the building also has its peculiarities: the pontifical horses lived in grand style on two levels of soaring stalls, connected by a monumental, gently sloping ramp of travertine bricks.
—Ingrid D. Rowland, The New York Review of Books, 20 Aug. 2020
The prevailing view of Wordsworth—pontifical, orthodox, austere—was entrenched by the Victorians, who praised him for the very qualities the Younger Romantics had mocked.
—Matthew Bevis, Harper's Magazine, 23 June 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pontifical
Adjective
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According to Anna, her mother, Tess, can be dogmatic, and Tess thinks Anna is unmotivated.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
11 May 2025
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But Chernow’s own book is evidence that Twain earned his grievances, obsessions, and dogmatic opinions.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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When tragedy strikes on Michigan roads—when a car skids off an icy bend or a semi-truck barrels through a red light—victims are often left to face not only devastating injuries but also a daunting legal maze of corporate denials and stubborn insurers.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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Get The Recipe Smart Move Similar recipes with beans and peas existed before then, but a challenge made to a stubborn chef named Helen Corbitt spurred the creation of Texas caviar.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Sandwich shops tend to be a highly opinionated subject.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Apr. 2025
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Fan reactions in the comments were as opinionated as they were divided.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The chairman was adamant this bill can still pass by Johnson's goal of Memorial Day.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
16 May 2025
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Valli remains adamant about the importance of fashion as escapism.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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The leadership of the Roman Catholic Church now faces a critical decision: choose a new pope who will follow his welcoming and global approach, or restore the more doctrinaire path of his predecessors.—
Justin Porter,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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Cardinal Robert Sarah – championed by conservatives as reflecting the doctrinaire and liturgically minded papacies of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI – is among those being considered to replace Pope Francis.—
Danielle Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pontifical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pontifical. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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