doctrinal
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- doctrinality noun
- doctrinally adverb
- nondoctrinal adjective
- nondoctrinally adverb
- undoctrinal adjective
- undoctrinally adverb
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.
Taken together, the Supreme Court’s remedial discipline and the legislature’s doctrinal clarification reflect a coordinated institutional response.
From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026
A churchman of exceptional rhetorical skill, Augustine was naturally drawn into doctrinal and intellectual controversies, in which he showed a fearsome determination that his views should win out.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025
And if we’re wise, we won’t let our fears of bad faith obscure a rare moment of doctrinal clarity.
From Slate • Jun. 5, 2025
“Article II: Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.”
From Salon • Mar. 30, 2025
Superstition was a widely available nostrum for people powerless against the miseries of famine, pestilence and deadly doctrinal conflict.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
