doctrine

noun

ˈdäk-trən How to pronounce doctrine (audio)
Definition of doctrinenext
1
as in theology
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 ideology
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 doctrine The Vatican’s doctrine office went above and beyond the minimum sanctions foreseen by the church’s canon law to respond to the consecrations Wednesday of four new bishops at the society’s Econe, Switzerland, seminary. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 The clock seemed to rewind 1,400 years as tenets established at the religion’s dawn—Sharia law—were formalized into the doctrine of Velayat-e Faqih, the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist. — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 29 June 2026 Indeed, underlying the Supreme Court’s broader campaign finance doctrine is a long-standing – and controversial – assumption that political spending raises zero corruption concerns when made independent of any collaboration with a candidate. — John J. Martin, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 Questioning, if not rejecting, established Christian doctrine, Ahab also comes to regard Moby Dick as the outward and visible sign, the physical embodiment of the indifference or, worse, utter malignity inherent in the universe. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for doctrine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doctrine
  1. theology
  2. ideology
  3. principle
  4. philosophy
  5. dogma
Noun
  • Members believe preserving the older form of the Mass — commonly called the Traditional Latin Mass — is essential to preserving traditional Catholic theology and ethics, said Matthew Siebert, a philosophy professor at Belmont Abbey College.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026
  • While theology and ministry studies were designated as nonprofessional, the master of divinity degree often pursued by eventual pastors or ministers does retain professional status.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of theology
Noun
  • Postwar American prosperity, with its ideology of more, seemed stacked against the restraint required of Zen Buddhist practice.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 June 2026
  • Legal realism extends beyond the idea that a judge’s political ideology might influence outcomes, which is today a common basis for pundits to explain court decisions.
    — Elizabeth C. Tippett, The Conversation, 29 June 2026
Definition of ideology
Noun
  • Trump sought to limit the long-standing constitutional principle – enshrined in the 14th Amendment in 1868 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 1898 – that those born in the United States are citizens.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • None of these principles require expensive infrastructure additions.
    — Lev Yatsemyrskyi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of principle
Noun
  • Every detail is intentional and meant to feel personal from the moment a guest arrives—a philosophy that extends to the neighboring winery as well.
    — Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
  • Perhaps no car better illustrates that philosophy than the 1987 Sbarro Alcador, an experimental speedster based on Ferrari Testarossa mechanicals.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of philosophy
Noun
  • Weak leaders try to resolve those tensions by picking one side and turning it into dogma.
    — Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Far more valuable would be a pivot by the regime’s leadership away from some of the dogmas of its past, and toward reform.
    — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026
Definition of dogma

Browse Nearby Words

doctrinal
doctrine
doctrines
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Cite this Entry

“Doctrine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrine. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on doctrine

Nglish: Translation of doctrine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about doctrine

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