dogmatic

[ dawg-mat-ik, dog- ]

adjective

1. relating to or of the nature of a dogma or dogmas or any strong set of principles concerning faith, morals, etc., as those laid down by a church; doctrinal:

   We hear dogmatic arguments from both sides of the political spectrum.

2. asserting opinions in a doctrinaire or arrogant manner; opinionated:

   I refuse to argue with someone so dogmatic that he won't listen to reason.

   Synonyms: dictatorial, imperious, arbitrary

dogmatic

/ dɒɡˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. 1. (of a statement, opinion, etc) forcibly asserted as if authoritative and unchallengeable
   2. (of a person) prone to making such statements
2. of, relating to, or constituting dogma

   dogmatic writings

3. based on assumption rather than empirical observation

Derived Forms

• dogˈmatically, adverb

Other Words From

• dog·mati·cal·ly adverb
• dog·mati·cal·ness noun
• anti·dog·matic adjective
• anti·dog·mati·cal adjective
• anti·dog·mati·cal·ly adverb
• nondog·matic adjective
• nondog·mati·cal adjective
• nondog·mati·cal·ly adverb
• over·dog·matic adjective
• over·dog·mati·cal adjective
• over·dog·mati·cal·ly adverb
• over·dog·mati·cal·ness noun
• undog·matic adjective
• undog·mati·cal adjective
• undog·mati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dogmatic¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Late Latin dogmaticus, from Greek dogmatikós, equivalent to dogmat- (stem of dógma dogma ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Not only did he neglect to acknowledge that major aspects of his 1899 “The Interpretation of Dreams” had already been articulated by earlier 19th-century pioneers in dream research, he also presented his conclusions in dogmatic and categorical terms.

From Washington Post

Many in the West construe Hong Kong through equally dogmatic lenses.

From Time

They adore him, partly because he’s hardly the dogmatic type.

From Fortune

We don’t know if it’s because of politics or dogmatic scientists who refuse to let go of droplets.

From MIT Technology Review

It took us into a much more enriching journey, to be honest, than to just sort of be dogmatic about the chase or the case.

From Vox

Demographic changes are making that community less dogmatic, even through the Castro regime remains an oppressive dictatorship.

From The Daily Beast

Sir Nicholas Henderson, who was in the job when Reagan was elected, described him as a dogmatic and simplistic man.

From The Daily Beast

Phelps approach to sharing “good news” was always dogmatic, extreme, and seemingly void of humanity.

From The Daily Beast

After the Democrats backed off the gay families thing, it's a little dogmatic for Republicans to be doing too much meddling now.

From The Daily Beast

He can't pretend that he's a dogmatic right-winger; who would believe him?

From The Daily Beast

I will not say that he never showed himself dogmatic and ill-informed, but he was no longer obtrusive and uncharitable.

From Project Gutenberg

They are based upon family papers said to be now in possession of the Charleston Dogmatic Directory.

From Project Gutenberg

And in enforcing this cardinal truth he is dogmatic and dictatorial, as a prophet and ambassador of the Most High should be.

From Project Gutenberg

Her implicit belief in and obedience to him have increased his self-confidence into a dogmatic assertion of infallibility.

From Project Gutenberg

In some of its articles Mazzini appears at his best,—more tolerant, less dogmatic and theoretical.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arbitrary
• arrogant
• assertive
• categorical
• emphatic
• fanatical
• intolerant
• obstinate
• stubborn
• unequivocal