dogma

[ dawg-muh, dog- ]

noun

, plural dog·mas or (Rare) dog·ma·ta [dawg, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. an official system of principles or tenets concerning faith, morals, behavior, etc., as of a church.

   Synonyms: philosophy, doctrine

2. a specific tenet or doctrine authoritatively laid down, as by a church:

   the dogma of the Assumption;

   the recently defined dogma of papal infallibility.

   Synonyms: law, canon, tenet

3. prescribed doctrine proclaimed as unquestionably true by a particular group:

   the difficulty of resisting political dogma.

4. a settled or established opinion, belief, or principle:

   the classic dogma of objectivity in scientific observation.

   Synonyms: certainty, conviction

dogma

/ ˈdɒɡmə /

noun

1. a religious doctrine or system of doctrines proclaimed by ecclesiastical authority as true
2. a belief, principle, or doctrine or a code of beliefs, principles, or doctrines

   Marxist dogma

dogma

1. A teaching or set of teachings laid down by a religious group, usually as part of the essential beliefs of the group.

Notes

The term dogma is often applied to statements put forward by someone who thinks, inappropriately, that they should be accepted without proof.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dogma¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin: “philosophical tenet, principle, dogma,” from Greek dógma “what seems good, opinion, belief, (in philosophy) doctrine; decision, public decree, ordinance,” equivalent to dok(eîn) “to expect, think, seem, seem good, pretend” + -ma noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of dogma¹

C17: via Latin from Greek: opinion, belief, from dokein to seem good

Example Sentences

As the liberal antithesis to conservative dogma on abortion, immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, California is naturally poised to reprise the role the state played during the first Trump presidency as a GOP foil and protector of Democratic values.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s an attempt, completely rooted in theological dogma, to return women, not just to the pain of procreation, but apparently the death of it.

From Slate

His voice didn’t proselytize, either, and so I’m grateful that Richard was in the back of my mind, when the body positivity movement swept and seemed a new kind of dogma.

From Salon

He boasted about how his government had “prioritised energy security and your family finances over environmental dogma and our approach to net zero”.

From BBC

For decades, this was essentially dogma in fashion.

From New York Times

Related Words

• credo
• creed
• doctrine
• gospel
• precept
• teachings
• tenet