dogma

noun

dog·​ma ˈdȯg-mə How to pronounce dogma (audio)
ˈdäg-
plural dogmas also dogmata ˈdȯg-mə-tə How to pronounce dogma (audio)
ˈdäg-
1
a
: something held as an established opinion
especially : a definite authoritative tenet
b
: a code of such tenets
pedagogical dogma
c
: a point of view or tenet put forth as authoritative without adequate grounds
2
: a doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church

Did you know?

Religious dogma and scientific dogma are sometimes at odds, as in arguments between those who believe in the biblical story of creation and those who believe in evolution. Since all dogma resists change, arguments of any kind are harder to resolve when both sides are dogmatic in their beliefs. Dogma and dogmatic are generally used disapprovingly; it's always other people who believe unquestioningly in dogma and who take a dogmatic approach to important issues.

Examples of dogma in a Sentence

The Saudi regime has tried to deflect questions about its management of the country … by supporting and spreading an uncompromising religious dogma. Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2001
He was known for his ability to burst the bubble of generally accepted dogma, to puncture it with data and detached observations. Sherwin B. Nuland, New Republic, 19 Feb. 2001
It had long been biological dogma that whales were scarce in the open ocean, but the Navy was picking up whale songs thousands of miles from land. Sharon Begley et al., Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2000
For in creating a cultural orthodoxy designed to combat racism, urban disorder, and a legacy of oppression, we subject ourselves to delusional dogma, the tyranny of conformity … Gerald Early, Harper's, January 1997
These new findings challenge the current dogma in the field. the Catholic dogma of the bodily assumption of the Virgin Mary
Recent Examples on the Web In a typical academic fashion (my dogma is the true gospel), Hinton also made sure to dismiss reinforcement learning and the work of his colleagues at DeepMind. Gil Press, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Except in periods of existential crises, deficit spending should be approached from both ends of the political spectrum through the middle serving no political party dogma and seeking compromise from both revenues and spending, until the budget is balanced. Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2024 Instead of encouraging students to speak with and possibly learn from their professors, students who feel uncomfortable are authorized to inform on them; professors are subject, without due process, to proceedings conducted by faculty who blindly follow DEI and intersectional dogma. Sheldon Rubenfeld, National Review, 13 Jan. 2024 Willis’s achievement shattered a decades-old belief that the game was unbeatable, dogma that came into question only in recent years after an artificial intelligence program tripped the kill screen and professionals developed more efficient techniques of handling the original Nintendo controller. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2024 The back and forth between Wright and Rae is so calibrated yet so conversational, even when the verbal thrusts and parries heat up, breaking every bit of pro- and con- dogma into dust particles. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2023 Only on the far right is such insane dogma is at the core of their beliefs. Will Oremus, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2023 In God & Country, religious leaders and scholars, journalists and historians sound off about the threat of a movement that infuses Christian dogma with far-right politics. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Dec. 2023 The dogma that tuberculosis is lying dormant in the bodies of 2 billion people might be wrong. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dogma.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin dogmat-, dogma, from Greek, from dokein to seem — more at decent

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dogma was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near dogma

Cite this Entry

“Dogma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dogma. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dogma

noun
dog·​ma ˈdȯg-mə How to pronounce dogma (audio)
ˈdäg-
plural dogmas also dogmata -mət-ə How to pronounce dogma (audio)
1
: something considered as an established opinion
2
: a belief or body of beliefs concerning faith or morals laid down by a church

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