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Definitions

doctrinal

[dok-truh-nl, dok-trahyn-l] / ˈdɒk trə nl, dɒkˈtraɪn l /
ADJECTIVE
conventional
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rigid
WEAK
bigoted bourgeois button-down commonplace conforming conservative demure dogmatic drippy hackneyed hidebound humdrum illiberal in rut inflexible insular isolationist lame literal moderate moral narrow narrow-minded not extreme not heretical obstinate parochial pedestrian prosaic puritanical routine rube run-of-the-mill sober solemn square stereotyped straight strait-laced strict stuffy uptight
Antonyms
WEAK
abnormal different exotic foreign irregular new original strange uncommon unconventional uncustomary unique unusual
ADJECTIVE
dogmatic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assertive categorical pragmatic reasoned
WEAK
a priori as a matter of course authoritarian authoritative axiomatic by fiat by natural law by nature canonical deducible deductive derivable doctrinaire eternal excathedra formal imperative inevitable on faith oracular orthodox peremptory positive prophetic systematic theoretical unchangeable unerring unqualified
Antonyms
WEAK
ambiguous amenable doubtful doubting dubious equivocal flexible fluctuating indecisive manageable not positive obedient questioning skeptical submissive uncertain vacillating
ADJECTIVE
homiletic
Synonyms
WEAK
admonitory didactic disciplinary disquisitional edifying expository instructional instructive moralizing preaching sermonic sermonizing teaching
ADJECTIVE
orthodox
Synonyms
WEAK
according to the book acknowledged admitted approved authoritative buttoned-down by the numbers canonical conformist conservative conventional correct customary devout die-hard established in line legitimate official old-line pious proper punctilious reactionary received recognized religious right rightful sanctioned sound square standard straight straight arrow traditionalistic true well-established
Antonyms
WEAK
heterodox unconventional unorthodox untraditional
ADJECTIVE
religious
Synonyms
STRONGEST
holy sacred sectarian theological
STRONG
devotional divine pontifical
WEAK
canonical churchly clerical deistic ecclesiastical ministerial orthodox priestly sacerdotal sacrosanct scriptural supernatural theistic
Antonyms
STRONGEST
irreligious irreverent lay secular unholy unsacred
WEAK
agnostic atheistic erring ungodly
ADJECTIVE
theological
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ecclesiastical metaphysical
WEAK
apostolic canonical churchly deistic divine scriptural theistic
Antonyms
WEAK
irreligious
ADJECTIVE
traditional
Synonyms
STRONGEST
classic classical common conventional historic long-established old popular regular time-honored universal
WEAK
acceptable accustomed acknowledged ancestral customary fixed folk habitual immemorial oral prescribed rooted sanctioned taken for granted transmitted unwritten widely used widespread
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abnormal different extraordinary infrequent irregular modern new rare uncommon unusual
WEAK
fresh unestablished unfixed untraditional

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By restoring deference to informed business judgment while reinforcing clearer doctrinal boundaries, Delaware has moved to re-establish the balance that long underpinned confidence in incentives, leadership stability, and predictable rules.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

Beneath the doctrinal sparring lies a familiar institutional fear characterized by destabilizing final judgments, opening procedural floodgates, and unraveling the architecture of criminal finality.

From Slate • Jan. 8, 2026

A churchman of exceptional rhetorical skill, Augustine was naturally drawn into doctrinal and intellectual controversies, in which he showed a fearsome determination that his views should win out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

“Article II: Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.”

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2025

Superstition was a widely available nostrum for people powerless against the miseries of famine, pestilence and deadly doctrinal conflict.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.