dogmatic
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
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
adjective
-
-
(of a statement, opinion, etc) forcibly asserted as if authoritative and unchallengeable
-
(of a person) prone to making such statements
-
-
of, relating to, or constituting dogma
dogmatic writings
-
based on assumption rather than empirical observation
Other Word Forms
- antidogmatic adjective
- antidogmatical adjective
- antidogmatically adverb
- dogmatically adverb
- dogmaticalness noun
- nondogmatic adjective
- nondogmatical adjective
- nondogmatically adverb
- overdogmatic adjective
- overdogmatical adjective
- overdogmatically adverb
- overdogmaticalness noun
- undogmatic adjective
- undogmatical adjective
- undogmatically adverb
Etymology
Origin of dogmatic
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Late Latin dogmaticus, from Greek dogmatikós, equivalent to dogmat- (stem of dógma dogma ) + -ikos -ic
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.
People who know Selig described him as buttoned-up and cordial, with a thoughtful rather than dogmatic approach to the legal questions around crypto and prediction markets.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026
"His evidence came across more as dogmatic, than direct at times and he was uncomfortable at his evidence being challenged," she wrote.
From BBC • Sep. 2, 2025
The outspoken Goldberg could come across as dogmatic and inflexible, but proved strategic behind the scenes.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2024
We take cuisine seriously, but not to the point of being dogmatic.
From Salon • Oct. 16, 2024
She was scrappy yet willing to please, feminist yet feminine, full of rage yet friendly, articulate yet not dogmatic.
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
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.
