doctrinaire

[ dok-truh-nair ]

noun

1. a person who tries to apply some doctrine or theory without sufficient regard for practical considerations; an impractical theorist.

adjective

1. dogmatic about others' acceptance of one's ideas; fanatical:

   a doctrinaire preacher.

   Synonyms: unyielding, inflexible, uncompromising, authoritarian

   Antonyms: flexible, reasonable

2. merely theoretical; impractical.
3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a doctrinaire.

doctrinaire

/ ˌdɒktrɪˈnɛə /

adjective

1. stubbornly insistent on the observation of the niceties of a theory, esp without regard to practicality, suitability, etc
2. theoretical; impractical

noun

1. a person who stubbornly attempts to apply a theory without regard to practical difficulties

Derived Forms

• ˌdoctriˈnarian, noun
• ˌdoctriˈnairism, noun

Other Words From

• doctri·nairism noun
• nondoc·tri·naire adjective
• over·doctri·naire adjective
• un·doctri·naire adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of doctrinaire¹

From French, dating back to 1810–20; doctrine, -aire

Example Sentences

“Where Eve once seemed wild and inspired to Joan,” writes Anolik, “she now seemed slack and slothful. Where Joan once seemed meticulous and masterly to Eve, she now seemed dogged and doctrinaire.”

From Los Angeles Times

As she put together the program this summer, with the presidential campaign going through head-snapping gyrations, Huntsinger says the political theme emerged organically rather than out of any doctrinaire impulse.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve just spent a week tramping across Venice, a city of more than 250 churches, and where did I encounter the most doctrinaire catechism?

From New York Times

But the idea is first stolen by one of her colleagues, then shot down by another as insufficiently doctrinaire.

From New York Times

To some he was an unholy terror, relentless in his doctrinaire socialism and disconcertingly fond of violent theatrical effects.

From New York Times