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Synonyms

doctrinal

American  
[dok-truh-nl, dok-trahyn-l] / ˈdɒk trə nl, dɒkˈtraɪn l /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or concerned with doctrine.

    a doctrinal dispute.


Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of doctrinal

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin doctrīnālis, equivalent to Latin doctrīn ( a ) ( see doctrine) + -ālis -al 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Vermeer emerged from the doctrinal matrices of 17th-century Delft.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

Antiqua et Nova, a doctrinal note of the Catholic Church published in January of 2025, uses the term “human person.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026

Cain, in which the doctrinal maze is itself the story.

From Slate ● Apr. 10, 2026

The Court of Chancery’s decision against Tesla External link in 2024 demonstrated this doctrinal drift.

From Barron's ● Jan. 14, 2026

Superstition was a widely available nostrum for people powerless against the miseries of famine, pestilence and deadly doctrinal conflict.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

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