dogma

/ˈdɒɡmə/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɔːɡmə/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdȯg-mə ˈdäg-/ (ame, mw)

dogma — noun

  • dogmasingular
  • dogmasplural

1. A principle or set of principles that a religious group requires its members to

1.名詞B2
釋義

A principle or set of principles that a religious group requires its members to believe, without allowing them to question or doubt it.

例句

Kenji's family follows Catholic dogma closely, attending mass every Sunday without fail.

collocation: follows Catholic dogma

The temple's ancient dogma teaches that all living things deserve respect and care.

dogma + that-clause for a core teaching

同義詞
  • doctrine

    doctrine is broader and can be taught or argued; dogma implies no questioning allowed

  • creed

    creed is a short statement of faith; dogma is a fuller system of principles

  • tenet

    tenet names one specific belief within a larger system; dogma can be the whole system

反義詞
  • heresy

    belief that directly opposes an established religious dogma

文法句型

dogma + that-clause

phrase: church dogma / Catholic dogma / religious dogma

用法筆記

Often uncountable when referring to dogma as an abstract system of belief; countable (a dogma / dogmas) when naming a specific principle.

常見錯誤

❌Dogma is always bad or harmful.
✅Dogma refers to unquestioned religious beliefs, which may be positive or negative depending on one's viewpoint.
💡'dogma' itself is neutral; the negative tone depends on context.

2. An idea or rule that a person or group insists is true despite weak or missing e

2.名詞C1
釋義

An idea or rule that a person or group insists is true despite weak or missing evidence, and that people must follow without questioning it.

例句

Fatima refused to accept the scientific dogma without looking at the evidence herself.

collocation: accept dogma / scientific dogma

The politician's speech was full of tired dogma, with no facts to back up his claims.

同義詞
  • ideology

    ideology is a broader system of political/social ideas; dogma focuses on the unquestioning attitude

  • orthodoxy

    orthodoxy means the accepted or mainstream view; dogma emphasises that no dissent is allowed

  • doctrine

    doctrine is more neutral; dogma in this sense carries disapproval

反義詞
  • skepticism

    skepticism is the willingness to question, the opposite of accepting dogma

  • doubt

    doubt challenges dogma by refusing to accept without proof

文法句型

dogma + that-clause

political dogma / party dogma / company dogma

用法筆記

This sense often carries a critical or negative tone, suggesting that the belief is held stubbornly despite weak evidence. Distinguish from sense 1, which is neutral toward the religious belief itself.

常見錯誤

❌This scientific theory is just dogma.
✅This scientific theory is widely accepted, but some treat it as dogma without examining the evidence.
💡a scientific theory is tested and updated; dogma is presented as beyond question.