Dogmatic

adjective

/dɒɡˈmæt.ɪk/

Inclined to assert opinions or principles as though they were incontrovertible facts, in an authoritative and often arrogant manner that brooks no questioning. By extension, of or relating to dogma — established doctrine laid down as authoritative.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

A mature democracy must guard against dogmatic adherence to any single ideological model of development, for rigid certitude in policymaking blinds the state to evolving ground realities and forecloses the pragmatic course-correction that good governance demands.

Synonyms

opinionateddoctrinaireassertiveauthoritarianperemptorycategorical

Antonyms

open-mindedtentativescepticalundogmatic

🌱 Word Family

dogma (n), dogmatism (n), dogmatist (n), dogmatically (adv), dogmatise (v)

🔡 Root

Greek dogma (genitive dogmatos) = opinion, tenet; dokein = to seem good, think; Late Latin dogmaticus

📜 Etymology

Via Late Latin dogmaticus from Greek dogmatikos "pertaining to doctrines," from dogma (genitive dogmatos) "opinion, tenet," from dokein "to seem good, think." Entered English in the 1680s.

🧠 Memory Hook

Think of a "dog" that bites down on its bone and refuses to let go — a dogmatic person bites down on a belief (dogma) and will not loosen their grip whatever the evidence.

🧭 Ethics & Integrity 📖 Seen in: Attitude, Aptitude & Foundational Valu...

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