as in dogmatical
given to or marked by the forceful expression of strongly held opinions
a theater critic known for his pontifical pronouncements on what is or is not worth seeing
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Recent Examples of pontifical
The prose is confiding and, in places, pontifical.
—
Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2020
That revelation, coupled with other recent pontifical critiques, have quickly dissolved the notion that the Dec. 31 death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a symbolic leader of the church’s conservative wing, might lessen the opposition to Francis.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2023
Because of its original purpose, however, the building also has its peculiarities: the pontifical horses lived in grand style on two levels of soaring stalls, connected by a monumental, gently sloping ramp of travertine bricks.
—Ingrid D. Rowland, The New York Review of Books, 20 Aug. 2020
The prevailing view of Wordsworth—pontifical, orthodox, austere—was entrenched by the Victorians, who praised him for the very qualities the Younger Romantics had mocked.
—Matthew Bevis, Harper's Magazine, 23 June 2020
Lifting the rule of pontifical secrecy does not clarify church official’s obligations to comply with such requests.
—Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2020
The Vatican had previously argued that the imposition of pontifical secrecy was necessary to protect both victim and accused.
—BostonGlobe.com, 18 Dec. 2019
Critics said the pontifical secret was used to keep the scandal hidden, prevent police from acquiring internal documentation and silence victims.
—Nicole Winfield, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Dec. 2019
Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2020
That revelation, coupled with other recent pontifical critiques, have quickly dissolved the notion that the Dec. 31 death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a symbolic leader of the church’s conservative wing, might lessen the opposition to Francis.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2023
Because of its original purpose, however, the building also has its peculiarities: the pontifical horses lived in grand style on two levels of soaring stalls, connected by a monumental, gently sloping ramp of travertine bricks.
—Ingrid D. Rowland, The New York Review of Books, 20 Aug. 2020
The prevailing view of Wordsworth—pontifical, orthodox, austere—was entrenched by the Victorians, who praised him for the very qualities the Younger Romantics had mocked.
—Matthew Bevis, Harper's Magazine, 23 June 2020
Lifting the rule of pontifical secrecy does not clarify church official’s obligations to comply with such requests.
—Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2020
The Vatican had previously argued that the imposition of pontifical secrecy was necessary to protect both victim and accused.
—BostonGlobe.com, 18 Dec. 2019
Critics said the pontifical secret was used to keep the scandal hidden, prevent police from acquiring internal documentation and silence victims.
—Nicole Winfield, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Dec. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pontifical
Adjective
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On the other, the Italian’s dogmatic approach meant that Leicester did come unstuck on a few occasions — which almost derailed a title charge that looked to be in the bag earlier in the season.Mark Carey, The Athletic, 11 Aug. 2024
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Leigh Silverman directs a rigorously unspectacular production, with an almost dogmatic refusal to add any Broadway razzle.Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Few modern artists do so much to persuade us that creative endeavor is a struggle—an anxious wrestling with the stubborn materials to hand, and a determination to plow on.Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
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This powerful, palm-sized tool hits the town on stubborn breakouts with a potent blend of blue (415 nm) and red (630 nm) light therapies.Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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What will his very opinionated Jewish family have to say?Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Oct. 2024
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Emily and Alfie are once again a thing, though Samuel Arnold, who plays the sassy and opinionated Julien doesn’t think this was the wisest choice.Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 15 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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Nobody was more adamant about getting rid of the SITDs than Gabe, who had to convince and cajole last holdout Sam to agree to the deal.Dalton Ross, EW.com, 21 Nov. 2024
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During the early stages of the war, Waltz was engaged with Ukrainian civil society members and was adamant in his criticism of Moscow.Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Its leaders become priests who shepherd their flocks according to the doctrinaire agenda of their faith.Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
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And there’s this thing that often happens on the left when a Black person has views that aren’t doctrinaire or aren’t the views a white progressive thinks a Black person is supposed to have.Sean Illing, Vox, 9 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Pontifical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pontifical. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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