dogmatic means adhering only to principles which are true a priori, rather than truths based on evidence or deduction.
dogmatic is pronounced /dɒɡˈmæt.ɪk/.
Why “dogmatic” is a great word
Asserting opinions or principles as incontrovertibly true, especially in an arrogant or authoritarian manner. From Late Latin dogmaticus, from Hellenistic Ancient Greek δογματικός (dogmatikós, "didactic"), from δόγμα (dógma, "dogma, belief, decree"). Unlike "opinionated," which suggests mere obstinate self-regard, or "doctrinaire," which often confines its rigidity to political theory, "dogmatic" speaks of a broader, colder certainty, a system of belief declared from a self-appointed pulpit. It is the finger jabbing a chest, the slammed book, the final period at the end of a sentence meant to end all debate—the terrifying ease with which a human being can mistake their own echo for the voice of universal truth.
Etymology
From Middle French dogmatique and its etymon, Late Latin dogmaticus, from Hellenistic Ancient Greek δογματικός (dogmatikós, “didactic”), from δόγμα (dógma, “dogma”).
adj
- Adhering only to principles which are true a priori, rather than truths based on evidence or deduction.
- Pertaining to dogmas; doctrinal.
- Asserting dogmas or beliefs in a superior or arrogant way; opinionated, dictatorial.
noun
- One of an ancient sect of physicians who went by general principles; opposed to the empiric.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- dogmatism 94% match — The manner or character of a dogmatist; arrogance or positiveness in stating opinion. vs dogmatic →
- dogma 93% match — An authoritative principle, belief or statement of opinion, especially one considered to be absolutely true and indisputable, regardless of evidence or without evidence to support it. vs dogmatic →
- dogmatize 92% match — To treat something as dogma. vs dogmatic →
- dogmatizer 89% match — One who dogmatizes; a bold asserter. vs dogmatic →
- doctrinaire 87% match — A person who stubbornly holds to a philosophy or opinion regardless of its feasibility. vs dogmatic →
- doctrinairism 86% match — doctrinaire attitudes generally vs dogmatic →
- dictum 86% match — An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; a maxim, an apothegm. vs dogmatic →
- tenet 86% match — An opinion, belief, or principle that is held as absolute truth by someone or especially an organization. vs dogmatic →