oracular

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective oracular contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of oracular are dictatorial, doctrinaire, dogmatic, and magisterial. While all these words mean "imposing one's will or opinions on others," 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

When could dictatorial be used to replace oracular?

The meanings of dictatorial and oracular largely overlap; however, dictatorial stresses autocratic, high-handed methods and a domineering manner.

exercised dictatorial control over the office

Where would doctrinaire be a reasonable alternative to oracular?

Although the words doctrinaire and oracular have much in common, doctrinaire implies a disposition to follow abstract theories in framing laws or policies affecting people.

a doctrinaire approach to improving the economy

When is dogmatic a more appropriate choice than oracular?

The words dogmatic and oracular can be used in similar contexts, but dogmatic implies being unduly and offensively positive in laying down principles and expressing opinions.

dogmatic about what is art and what is not

When would magisterial be a good substitute for oracular?

The synonyms magisterial and oracular are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

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 oracular Grade’s novels aren’t oracular, the way the section on postwar Vilna in his memoir was. Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025 Lynch plays Cole as a secular prophet, a grand and monumental presence dispensing wisdom and judgment with a self-deprecating yet oracular intensity. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025 The bottom line: Odds aren't oracular — even a 99% chance is not a sure thing. Nathan Bomey, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024 The book carries Ward’s characteristic mélange of vernacular speech and lush, sometimes oracular prose, immersing readers in the blessings — and difficulties — of family, the ways that bonds can both nurture and destroy. Imani Perry, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for oracular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oracular
Adjective
  • While investigating the case of a teenage girl left for dead in the woods, Luminița (34), a small-town police officer, risks being swallowed into a dark, sinister world, where the unlawful meets the occult.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 8 May 2025
  • The real-life School of Rock founder’s former students tell a more sinister story By Ezra Marcus Hats Off! Daniel Berulis, a cyber-security expert and employee of the National Labor Relations Board.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • Spotify's initial pushback in 2019 against Apple's policies, often dismissed by Apple as self-serving and mislead, turned out to be prophetic.
    Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
  • Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy not of doctrine alone, but of deep human connection, prophetic conscience, and unshakable solidarity with the oppressed.
    Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • Another is about death itself and the portentous ride to the other side.
    Sezin Devi Keohler, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Other portentous allegories ensue.
    Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Adding to the confusion, their on-site contact Marita (Abuela Marita) has disappeared, possibly in connection with her apocalyptic Christian temple.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
  • The Last of Us tells the story of two survivors (Ramsey and Pedro Pascal) many years after the onset of an apocalyptic plague.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His other arrests include menacing and marijuana possession in 2009, grand larceny in 2008 and a 2005 bust for assault as a juvenile.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
  • If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With automation, machine learning and predictive analytics, companies can design intelligent frameworks that continuously monitor data quality, proactively flag compliance issues and support strategic decisions with clean, reliable data.
    Deepak Yadav, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • As part of a study funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bradley Moore, a Scripps Oceanography professor of marine biology, marine chemistry and geochemistry, worked to determine how domoic acid is produced with the hope of creating a predictive model.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Its baleful guitar and hackneyed vocals make the average doubts shared by everyone who has ever been in love seem generic.
    Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Women are thought of as contaminants in the heya and arm candy outside it; the sponsors exert a baleful commercial pressure on the fighters.
    Jesse Green, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oracular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oracular. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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