English Synonyms and Antonyms

Doctrine primarily signifies that which is taught; principle, the fundamental basis on which the teaching rests.
A doctrine is reasoned out, and may be defended by reasoning; a dogma rests on authority, as of direct
revelation, the decision of the church, etc. A doctrine or dogma is a statement of some one item of belief; a
creed is a summary of doctrines or dogmas. Dogma has commonly, at the present day, an offensive
signification, as of a belief arrogantly asserted. Tenet is simply that which is held, and is applied to a single
item of belief; it is a neutral word, neither approving nor condemning; we speak of the doctrines of our own
church; of the tenets of others. A precept relates not to belief, but to conduct. Compare FAITH; LAW.
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DOGMATIC.
Synonyms:
arrogant, doctrinal, magisterial, positive, authoritative, domineering, opinionated, self-opinionated, dictatorial,
imperious, overbearing, systematic.
Dogmatic is technically applied in a good sense to that which is formally enunciated by adequate authority;
doctrinal to that which is stated in the form of doctrine to be taught or defended. Dogmatic theology, called
also "dogmatics," gives definite propositions, which it holds to be delivered by authority; systematic theology
considers the same propositions in their logical connection and order as parts of a system; a doctrinal
statement is less absolute in its claims than a dogmatic treatise, and may be more partial than the term
systematic would imply. Outside of theology, dogmatic has generally an offensive sense; a dogmatic
statement is one for which the author does not trouble himself to give a reason, either because of the strength
of his convictions, or because of his contempt for those whom he addresses; thus dogmatic is, in common use,
allied with arrogant and kindred words.
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DOUBT, v.
Synonyms:
distrust, mistrust, surmise, suspect.
To doubt is to lack conviction. Incompleteness of evidence may compel one to doubt, or some perverse bias of
mind may incline him to. Distrust may express simply a lack of confidence; as, I distrust my own judgment;
or it may be nearly equivalent to suspect; as, I distrusted that man from the start. Mistrust and suspect imply
that one is almost assured of positive evil; one may distrust himself or others; he suspects others. Mistrust is
now rarely, if ever, used of persons, but only of motives, intentions, etc. Distrust is always serious; mistrust is
often used playfully. Compare SUPPOSE. Compare synonyms for DOUBT, n.
Antonyms:
believe, depend on, depend upon, rely on, rely upon, trust. confide in,
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Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
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DOUBT, n.
Synonyms:
disbelief, incredulity, perplexity, suspense, distrust, indecision, question, suspicion, hesitancy, irresolution,
scruple, unbelief, hesitation, misgiving, skepticism, uncertainty.
Doubt is a lack of conviction that may refer either to matters of belief or to matters of practise. As regards
belief, while doubt is lack of conviction, disbelief is conviction, to the contrary; unbelief refers to a settled
state of mind, generally accompanied with opposition of heart. Perplexity is active and painful; doubt may be
quiescent. Perplexity presses toward a solution; doubt may be content to linger unresolved. Any improbable
statement awakens incredulity. In theological usage unbelief and skepticism have a condemnatory force, as
implying wilful rejection of manifest truth. As regards practical matters, uncertainty applies to the unknown
or undecided; doubt implies some negative evidence. Suspense regards the future, and is eager and anxious;