1
as in theologies
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 ideologies
the basic beliefs or guiding principles of a person or group
the doctrine of quantum physicists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of doctrines
Two people in the same local assembly may share similar doctrines but be at odds over the efficacy of modern scientific medicine, especially vaccines.
—
Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
Prevailing economic doctrines proved flawed.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
Thad Kousser, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego, said the conference rarely produces sweeping policy doctrines but can build relationships that matter when crises cross state lines.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 19 Feb. 2026
Those in support of the bill argue that the Bible's teachings informed the nation's core doctrines, and that the Ten Commandments offer needed moral reinforcement for schoolchildren.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
Legal challenges to constitutional doctrines underpinning the modern American administrative state wend their way through increasingly sympathetic courts, promising sweeping changes to the ways our most important institutions act.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
The larger point here is that the new justice and the governor are strong advocates of literalism and originalism — legal doctrines holding that constitutions and laws should be read precisely as the authors wrote and understood them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
What Structural Integration Would Look Like The good news is that avoiding that outcome does not require sweeping new doctrines.
—Robert Ginsburg, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The hysteria about a superior race, the insistence that all would be well if one insidious group was purged—those doctrines had been entirely defeated.
—Joan Silber, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
Prevailing economic doctrines proved flawed.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
Thad Kousser, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego, said the conference rarely produces sweeping policy doctrines but can build relationships that matter when crises cross state lines.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 19 Feb. 2026
Those in support of the bill argue that the Bible's teachings informed the nation's core doctrines, and that the Ten Commandments offer needed moral reinforcement for schoolchildren.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
Legal challenges to constitutional doctrines underpinning the modern American administrative state wend their way through increasingly sympathetic courts, promising sweeping changes to the ways our most important institutions act.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
The larger point here is that the new justice and the governor are strong advocates of literalism and originalism — legal doctrines holding that constitutions and laws should be read precisely as the authors wrote and understood them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
What Structural Integration Would Look Like The good news is that avoiding that outcome does not require sweeping new doctrines.
—Robert Ginsburg, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The hysteria about a superior race, the insistence that all would be well if one insidious group was purged—those doctrines had been entirely defeated.
—Joan Silber, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doctrines
Noun
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But theologies aside, Patmos is also downright breathtaking.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2026
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If there’s a genuine, committed, energetic movement to evolve these theologies, there are huge opportunities.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Self-sufficiency, homesteading and cryptocurrency communities typically aren’t welcoming to law enforcement or other government influence, and Bush has been associated with ideologies like sovereign citizens, a movement that doesn’t accept state and local governments.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
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Black folks have seen the face of the US’s prerogative state—the side of the government that dispenses arbitrary jurisprudence, discriminatory law enforcement, and violence against those who challenge its authority and dominant ideologies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While they were aligned on (mostly) monochromatic looks, the sisters had different dogmas about their bags.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
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There’s a common, but untrue, narrative that certain sets of scientific dogmas, like the Earth being stationary and the center of the Universe, could not be challenged.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Explore philosophies that will get you closer to the true meaning of your life.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
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His ethos is guided by the idea that physical appearance trumps all else, though its offshoots venture into sexist, misogynistic and racist philosophies.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The ad turns everyday moments into a triumphant celebration of America — people of all creeds, races, and backgrounds learning in classrooms, working on job sites, and celebrating family gatherings.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2026
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Cultures and creeds were never the true engines of bloodshed—and aren’t in our day, either.—
Josef Joffe,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Take time to renew your spiritual or religious beliefs.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
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In the comments, Ivey argued with fans using Bible verses and accused several of being sinners for their beliefs and lifestyles.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The attack was massive, involving nearly 50,000 infantry and cavalry as well as 58 canons.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
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Solak continued, saying that Smith’s arrest would be investigated by diocese officials and follow church canons that handle clergy misconduct.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Doctrines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doctrines. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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