doctrine

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

n. creed, theory, dogma, tenet, principle. See belief.

II

(Roget's IV) n.

1. [A statement of position or belief]

Syn. tenet, principle, proposition, precept, article, concept, conviction, dogma, position, opinion, belief, theory, convention, established position, policy, attitude, tradition, unwritten law, universal law, natural law, common law, teachings, accepted belief, article of faith, article of belief, canon, regulation, rule, pronouncement, declaration, bull; see also law 2 , 4 .

2. [Several tenets built into a faith]

Syn. dogma, creed, gospel; see faith 2 .

Syn.- doctrine refers to a theory based on carefully worked out principles and taught or advocated by its adherents [ scientific or social doctrines] ; dogma refers to a belief or doctrine that is handed down by authority as true and indisputable, and may connote arbitrariness, arrogance, etc. [ religious dogma] ; tenet connotes a component belief or principle of a system or theory [ the tenets of a political party ] ; precept refers to an injunction or dogma intended as a rule of action or conduct [ to teach by example rather than by precept]

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) n.

principle, belief, conviction, precept, opinion, convention, tenet, dictum, dogma, creed, gospel.

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) noun A principle taught or advanced for belief, as by a religious or philosophical group: dogma, teaching, tenet. See BELIEF.