Definition of DOGMA (original) (raw)
1
a
: something held as an established opinion
especially : a definite authoritative tenet
b
: a code of such tenets
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
Synonyms
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 light of the past week’s fixations, I’m tempted to think of the New York essay as an unwitting wrench in the conservative dogma uniting those other two pet controversies. —Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2024 The community now revolves around what McMaster calls 2024 kinds of values, not rooted in dogma or scripture; while its curriculum draws much of its inspiration from Christian teachings, speakers represent multiple faith traditions. —Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024 Here’s how to avoid it June 18, 2024 WHO overturns dogma on airborne disease spread. —Maria Cheng, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024 Enlightenment-era universities also promoted the idea that education could be a source of liberation from political and religious dogmas — a historical echo of scholars who began to question such dogmas in medieval studiums. —Bradford Vivian / Made By History, TIME, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dogma 
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 1 Oct. 2024.
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Last Updated: 26 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences
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