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

Examples 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 There are, of course, more familiar names that sometimes arise from the oracular mists of the Swedish Academy, particularly over the past few decades, when, though tainted by scandal, the Nobel Committee became, off and on, more, uh, hip—both Bob Dylan and Kazuo Ishiguro come to mind. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2022 These computer models don’t make oracular forecasts. Popular Mechanics, 24 May 2023 Morton describes the origin of Hyperobjects as oracular—like a radio transmission sent from the future. Laura Hudson, Wired, 16 Nov. 2021 His comments were aphoristic or oracular, but often infused with wit. Martin Rees, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2019 See all Example Sentences for oracular 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oracular
Adjective
  • All this hints at a more sinister story inside; this was a factory for a highly addictive drug called Captagon.
    Greg Myre, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Luis is building a hotel for Herr König (Dan Stevens, a scream queen in his own right), whose eccentric behavior points to a sinister agenda.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Somehow, after that, the story of a prophetic painter, who was tasked by the British Museum on this international hunt just…came fully formed.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Hurst is an unhoused man with plenty of addictions but also a prophetic insight.
    Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But unlike the relative low-budget kicks of his previous two films, Glass has lots of portentous self-importance that the movie never quite earns.
    Will Leitch, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024
  • The big and portentous orchestrations of John Williams play right through both exposition and action scenes like oppressive Musak.
    John H. Dorr, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 July 2024
Adjective
  • The seventy-seventh and latest installment, which dropped on November 19th, is the length of a network sitcom and depicts an apocalyptic global war.
    Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
  • McCarthy’s harrowing post apocalyptic tale of a boy and his father making their way through a wasteland populated by the degraded remains of human civilization is brilliantly adapted by Larcenet.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Egerton and Bateman are both fantastic in this, and who knew Michael Bluth could be this level of menacing?
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • In the memo obtained by WIRED, DHS displays less confidence in its ability to detect menacing drones.
    Dell Cameron, WIRED, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Clare Lansley, Aston Martin Aramco’s chief information officer, says machine learning algorithms can blend data on tires, the weather and track conditions, and use predictive analytics to optimize decisions.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The ability to draw statistical conclusions and use predictive analytics to reduce hazards with fewer resources is made possible by them.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The company, Wave, is taking aim at AAT deficiency, marked by scarce or defective alpha-1 antitrypsin, a protein that neutralizes baleful enzymes released by immune cells.
    ByMitch Leslie, science.org, 24 Oct. 2024
  • How can this be, given plastic’s baleful reputation?
    Steve Forbes, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near oracular

Cite this Entry

“Oracular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oracular. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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