Doctrinaire
adjective
A person who seeks to impose a doctrine without taking into account practical considerations.
He is considered a doctrinaire by many due to his strict adherence to his political beliefs, regardless of the views of others.
Often appears as...
- doctrinaire approach
- doctrinaire theory
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
noun
An impractical theorist.
His policies were often criticized as the musing of a doctrinaire and not practical for the real world.
Often appears as...
- political doctrinaire
- economic doctrinaire
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
adjective
A person who seeks to impose a doctrine without taking into account practical considerations.
He is considered a doctrinaire by many due to his strict adherence to his political beliefs, regardless of the views of others.
Often appears as...
- doctrinaire approach
- doctrinaire theory
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
noun
An impractical theorist.
His policies were often criticized as the musing of a doctrinaire and not practical for the real world.
Often appears as...
- political doctrinaire
- economic doctrinaire
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Not Pragmatic
Used to describe someone who favors theoretical principles over practicality in real-life situations.
Her doctrinaire approach to education reform ignores the limitations of the school's budget.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Negative
Carries a negative connotation, suggesting stubbornness and lack of flexibility.
The manager's doctrinaire methods led to conflicts with the team.
Pro Tip 3/3Political Context
Frequently used in political or ideological discussions to critique opponents.
The senator was dismissed as a doctrinaire who couldn't compromise.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Pragmatic
Used to describe someone who favors theoretical principles over practicality in real-life situations.
Her doctrinaire approach to education reform ignores the limitations of the school's budget.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Negative
Carries a negative connotation, suggesting stubbornness and lack of flexibility.
The manager's doctrinaire methods led to conflicts with the team.
Pro Tip 3/3Political Context
Frequently used in political or ideological discussions to critique opponents.
The senator was dismissed as a doctrinaire who couldn't compromise.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Pragmatic
Used to describe someone who favors theoretical principles over practicality in real-life situations.
Her doctrinaire approach to education reform ignores the limitations of the school's budget.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Negative
Carries a negative connotation, suggesting stubbornness and lack of flexibility.
The manager's doctrinaire methods led to conflicts with the team.
Pro Tip 3/3Political Context
Frequently used in political or ideological discussions to critique opponents.
The senator was dismissed as a doctrinaire who couldn't compromise.
Compare with
adamantauthoritariandogmaticinflexibleintolerantopinionatedrigiduncompromising
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Surviving a Water Crisis...
to flush toilets let's be very careful about making a doctrinaire statement about whether or not water is a human right because it may well be but how do you pay for it
Video examples
Surviving a Water Crisis...
to flush toilets let's be very careful about making a doctrinaire statement about whether or not water is a human right because it may well be but how do you pay for it
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Eugene Jarecki
American Director
Reagan is held up to us as an example of never raising taxes. Correction: Reagan raised taxes six of his eight years as president. Why? He was a pragmatist, not doctrinaire. He saw problems emerging, and when his policies faltered he changed his views. Flexibility, not rigidity.
Quote examples
Adam Richman
American Actor
There is no right way to go on an edible journey. You can never tell what is going to be great, so you have to try everything. If you become doctrinaire about sticking to lowbrow foods or epicurean delights, your just being an extremist, and it won't do you any good.
Quote examples
Christopher Koch
Australian Novelist
I don't have doctrinaire views about how we should relate to Asia. But novelists reflect the world they live in, and that world propels you, to some extent. I'm a creature of the British Empire, and of the period of transition from the Empire.
Quote examples
Carroll Quigley
American Writer
The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps, of the Right and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea acceptable only to doctrinaire and academic thinkers.
Quote examples
James D. Watson
American Scientist
Today, the theory of evolution is an accepted fact for everyone but a fundamentalist minority, whose objections are based not on reasoning but on doctrinaire adherence to religious principles.
Quote examples
Cynthia Ozick
American Novelist
If an essay has a 'motive,' it is linked more to happenstance and opportunity than to the driven will. A genuine essay is not a doctrinaire tract or a propaganda effort or a broadside.
Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
America is not doctrinaire. It's hard for an American politician to come up with an ideological position that is permanently unforgivable.
Quote examples
Richard Shelby
American Politician
Even some of my Republican friends say I have a populist, progressive streak. I am not a doctrinaire, anti-government person.
Quote examples
Randy Newman
American Comedian
It's funny; people get so doctrinaire about music. It should be the last thing you don't have an open mind about.
Quote examples
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
British Politician
A doctrinaire is a fool but an honest man.
Quote examples
Eugene Jarecki
American Director
Reagan is held up to us as an example of never raising taxes. Correction: Reagan raised taxes six of his eight years as president. Why? He was a pragmatist, not doctrinaire. He saw problems emerging, and when his policies faltered he changed his views. Flexibility, not rigidity.
Quote examples
Adam Richman
American Actor
There is no right way to go on an edible journey. You can never tell what is going to be great, so you have to try everything. If you become doctrinaire about sticking to lowbrow foods or epicurean delights, your just being an extremist, and it won't do you any good.
Quote examples
Christopher Koch
Australian Novelist
I don't have doctrinaire views about how we should relate to Asia. But novelists reflect the world they live in, and that world propels you, to some extent. I'm a creature of the British Empire, and of the period of transition from the Empire.
Quote examples
Carroll Quigley
American Writer
The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps, of the Right and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea acceptable only to doctrinaire and academic thinkers.
Quote examples
James D. Watson
American Scientist
Today, the theory of evolution is an accepted fact for everyone but a fundamentalist minority, whose objections are based not on reasoning but on doctrinaire adherence to religious principles.
Quote examples
Cynthia Ozick
American Novelist
If an essay has a 'motive,' it is linked more to happenstance and opportunity than to the driven will. A genuine essay is not a doctrinaire tract or a propaganda effort or a broadside.
Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
America is not doctrinaire. It's hard for an American politician to come up with an ideological position that is permanently unforgivable.
Quote examples
Richard Shelby
American Politician
Even some of my Republican friends say I have a populist, progressive streak. I am not a doctrinaire, anti-government person.
Quote examples
Randy Newman
American Comedian
It's funny; people get so doctrinaire about music. It should be the last thing you don't have an open mind about.
Quote examples
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
British Politician
A doctrinaire is a fool but an honest man.
Example 1 of 10
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