dogmatic

adjective

dog·​mat·​ic dȯg-ˈma-tik 

däg-

variants or less commonly dogmatical

dȯg-ˈma-ti-kəl 

däg-

1

: characterized by or given to the expression of opinions very strongly or positively as if they were facts

a dogmatic critic

2

: of or relating to dogma (see dogma)

dogmatically

dȯg-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

däg-

adverb

dogmaticalness

dȯg-ˈma-ti-kəl-nəs 

däg-

noun

Synonyms

• doctrinaire
• opinionated
• opinionative
• opinioned
• pontifical
• self-opinionated

Choose the Right Synonym for dogmatic

dictatorial, magisterial, dogmatic, doctrinaire, oracular mean imposing one's will or opinions on others.

dictatorial stresses autocratic, high-handed methods and a domineering manner.

exercised dictatorial control over the office

magisterial stresses assumption or use of prerogatives appropriate to a magistrate or schoolmaster in forcing acceptance of one's opinions.

the magisterial tone of his pronouncements

dogmatic implies being unduly and offensively positive in laying down principles and expressing opinions.

dogmatic about what is art and what is not

doctrinaire implies a disposition to follow abstract theories in framing laws or policies affecting people.

a doctrinaire approach to improving the economy

oracular implies the manner of one who delivers opinions in cryptic phrases or with pompous dogmatism.

a designer who is the oracular voice of fashion

Examples of dogmatic in a Sentence

What we are being treated to, clearly, is an extended set of variations on that most ancient of all intellectual chestnuts, the infinite capacity of the professorial mind for the dogmatic and ludicrous misinterpretation of evidence regarding past civilizations. —Peter Green, New Republic, 20 Mar. 2000

The New York Times, dogmatic as always, claimed that "facts and reason, the authority of all dictionaries, and the support of every chronologer and historian that ever lived, to say nothing of the invariable understanding and custom of all lands and ages" underlay its choice of 1901. It spoke dismissively of "the delusion that there is a controversy as to when the twentieth century begins," even as the controversy dragged on in its pages for a year and a half. —Frederic D. Schwarz, American Heritage, December 1999

After absorbing one magazine's strict injunctions on such topics as the number of saucepans to register for and which varieties of flowers hold up best in bouquets, I would move on to another mag, only to find an equal number of equally dogmatic assertions, delivered with equal certainty and often in complete contradiction with the first set. —Ruth Halikman, New Republic, 18 Oct. 1999

She's become so dogmatic lately that arguing with her is pointless.

a critic's dogmatic insistence that abstract expressionism is the only school of 20th century art worthy of serious study

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of taking a dogmatic or sensationalist stance, the SETI project takes a scientifically rigorous and pragmatic approach—putting the best possible mechanisms in place for the definition, detection, and interpretation of signs of possible alien intelligence. —Edmon Begoli, IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2024

That pursuit is popular among internet subcultures — and mainly among teen boys, as reported by the New York Times — that hold dogmatic and extremist beliefs regarding attractiveness and dating. —Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see dogma

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dogmatic

• dogmatic theology

Kids Definition

dogmatic

adjective

dog·​mat·​ic dȯg-ˈmat-ik 

däg-

1

: expressing opinions very strongly or positively as if they were facts

2

: of or relating to dogma

dogmatically

-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb