dogmatism
C1/C2Formal, academic, critical; used in discourse about ideas, belief systems, and behaviour.
Definition
Meaning
The tendency to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true, without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others.
An arrogant, stubborn assertion of opinion or belief, especially in religious or philosophical matters, characterized by a closed-minded, authoritarian approach that dismisses dissent.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Dogmatism implies not just strong belief, but an inflexible, often arrogant, insistence on its correctness. It is closely associated with intolerance. The related adjective is 'dogmatic'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally used and understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Universally negative, implying intellectual arrogance and rigidity.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in academic and philosophical writing in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[adjective] + dogmatismdogmatism + [prepositional phrase: of/in X]verb + dogmatism (e.g., reject, display, oppose)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly; the word itself often functions as a critical label in discourse.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used critically to describe a manager's rigid, top-down approach that ignores new data or team input.
Academic
Common in critiques of philosophical, religious, or political theories for being closed systems of thought.
Everyday
Used to describe someone who is inflexibly opinionated and won't listen to others.
Technical
In philosophy/theology, a precise term for asserting doctrines as undeniably true.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The debate was marred by his tendency to dogmatise, leaving no room for nuance.
American English
- He dogmatized about economic policy, refusing to consider any counter-arguments.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Contextual) It is not good to always think you are right. That is dogmatism.
- The teacher warned against dogmatism, encouraging us to listen to different ideas.
- His political dogmatism made it impossible to have a reasonable debate on the issue.
- The scientific community values evidence and peer review as safeguards against ideological dogmatism.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DOGmatic person: as stubborn as a dog that won't drop a bone (its fixed idea). DOGMA-tism = rigidly holding onto a DOGMA.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OBJECTS HELD TIGHTLY / THE MIND IS A CLOSED CONTAINER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'dogmatizm' (догматизм), which is a direct cognate with identical meaning. The trap is assuming it's a 'false friend' – it's actually a true friend. The related adjective 'dogmatic' translates to 'dogmaticheskiy' (догматический).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'dogmatisim' or 'dogmatizm'.
- Confusing 'dogmatism' (the quality) with 'dogma' (the specific belief).
- Using it as a synonym for mere 'confidence' or 'conviction', missing its negative connotation of inflexibility.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'dogmatism' be most accurately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in modern usage it is almost exclusively pejorative. It criticises a lack of intellectual humility and openness.
'Dogma' refers to a specific set of principles or doctrines declared as true (e.g., religious dogma). 'Dogmatism' is the behaviour or attitude of asserting such doctrines in an arrogant, inflexible manner.
Absolutely. One can be dogmatic about political ideologies, scientific theories (contrary to the scientific method), economic policies, or even personal opinions on topics like art or diet.
A dogmatist is a person who exhibits dogmatism; someone who is dogmatic. It is a noun for the person holding the attitude.
Collections
Part of a collection
High-Level Idiomatic Expressions
C2 · 45 words · Sophisticated idiomatic and nuanced vocabulary.