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

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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 As a public university, ASU could also assert statutory governmental immunity, a legal doctrine protecting public entities from liability in certain circumstances, including some policy-level decisions. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026 The Arab Gulf states, meanwhile, are reworking their security doctrines. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026 What if even the slightest error in doctrine or practice allowed the devil to mislead and damn well-meaning Christians? — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 The term appeared within Christian doctrine somewhere around the seventeenth century in reference to the flood that followed the Fall. — Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for doctrine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doctrine
  1. theology
  2. ideology
  3. principle
  4. philosophy
  5. dogma
Noun
  • Skaggs was finally asked to leave the church in late 2024 after a heated argument with Kyker over theology.
    — Annasofia Scheve, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The model absorbed the cadence, theology and grievance of each tradition, producing new text aligning with those worldviews.
    — Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of theology
Noun
  • The overall issue of online safety, particularly regarding minors, is one of the few issues that defies traditional political ideologies.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Rather than ideology, what seems to be driving voters is a frustration with traditional politicians’ failure to solve everyday problems.
    — DAN RESTREPO, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of ideology
Noun
  • And yet the principle is the same, as illustrated by my humble example above.
    — Robert Klose, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2026
  • What happens when that same principle is applied to families, workplaces, corporations, healthcare systems, schools, financial institutions, social-media companies, and governments?
    — Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of principle
Noun
  • Vest’s campus roots Ma, 25, became interested in crypto derivatives while studying finance and philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
  • His philosophy posits that nature should be the focus of any space, and this is true—trappings frame and do not distract from the views.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of philosophy
Noun
  • Boards would be well served to keep the succession yardsticks focused on genuine performance metrics rather than fact-free dogma related to CEO age, longevity or tenure.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Compulsory worship with frightening dogma, which could lead you equally plausibly to heaven or hell.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 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 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on doctrine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about doctrine

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