doctrinaire

1 of 2

adjective

doc·​tri·​naire ˌdäk-trə-ˈner 

: stubbornly or excessively devoted to a doctrine or theory without regard to practical considerations

… tended to stress uncritical, doctrinaire acceptance of the interpretations of law …

—Ross E. Dunn

… the doctrinaire evolutionary psychologists who choose ideology over knowledge.

—Jerry A. Coyne

doctrinairism

ˌdäk-trə-ˈner-ˌi-zəm 

noun

doctrinaire

2 of 2

noun

: one who attempts to put into effect an abstract doctrine or theory with little or no regard for practical difficulties

Did you know?

The noun doctrine refers to a set of ideas or beliefs that are taught or believed to be true, and is often used specifically for the principles on which a government or religion may be based. Its adjectival form, doctrinal (“of, relating, or preoccupied with doctrine”), as in “doctrinal teachings,” is straightforward and not particularly judgmental. Doctrinaire, however, describes someone who is rigidly and impractically devoted to a doctrine. This critical connotation comes from the word’s history in post-revolutionary France as a name for members of a group of constitutional monarchists led by statesman and philosopher Pierre Paul Royer-Collard. Royer-Collard’s doctrine was opposed by both ultraroyalists and revolutionists, and he was given the nickname “doctrinaire,” which was later capitalized and extended to his colleagues, thereafter known as the Doctrinaires.

Synonyms

Adjective

• dogmatic
• dogmatical
• opinionated
• opinionative
• opinioned
• pontifical
• self-opinionated

Choose the Right Synonym for doctrinaire

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 doctrinaire in a Sentence

Adjective

a doctrinaire conservative, the columnist takes special delight in baiting liberals

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Back in the early aughts, during the height of the poker boom, the secrets of the game were both doctrinaire and vague. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024

The give-and-take of an earlier era, when Lew Wasserman and his Universal crowd, for instance, played both sides gave way to a doctrinaire intensity. —Michael Cieply, Deadline, 14 July 2024

Noun

Back when Republicans were less doctrinaire, few objected to Ronald Reagan’s legalization through legislation on the status of otherwise law-abiding immigrants who crossed illegally or overstayed. —Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2024

Meanwhile, doctrinaire Salafis of the tendency promoted by Hifter—who preach absolute loyalty to a sitting ruler—would further extend their influence, and enforce their harsh interpretation of Sharia law more widely. —Frederic Wehrey, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from doctrine

First Known Use

Adjective

1834, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined above

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