heresy

[her-uh-see]

noun

plural

heresies 

1. opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, especially of a church or religious system.

2. the maintaining of such an opinion or doctrine.

3. Roman Catholic Church.,  the willful and persistent rejection of any article of faith by a baptized member of the church.

4. any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs, customs, etc.

   Synonyms: dissension, iconoclasm, dissent

heresy

/ ˈhɛrəsɪ /

noun

1. 1. an opinion or doctrine contrary to the orthodox tenets of a religious body or church

   2. the act of maintaining such an opinion or doctrine

2. any opinion or belief that is or is thought to be contrary to official or established theory

3. belief in or adherence to unorthodox opinion

heresy

1. A belief or teaching considered unacceptable by a religious group. (See heretic.)

Other Word Forms

• superheresy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heresy¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English heresie, from Old French eresie, from Latin haeresis “school of thought, sect,” from Greek haíresis, literally, “act of choosing,” derivative of haireîn “to choose”

Word History and Origins

Origin of heresy¹

C13: from Old French eresie, from Late Latin haeresis, from Latin: sect, from Greek hairesis a choosing, from hairein to choose

Example Sentences

"This is eminently reasonable but was treated for many years as heresy," he added.

From BBC

Such language is heresy for too many Trump supporters, some of whom are already trashing Pope Leo as anti-American.

From Los Angeles Times

Conservative Catholics — many of them in the U.S. — have long accused their leader of liberation theology, if not downright heresy, for his work.

From Los Angeles Times

Even some far-right Christian conservatives, who otherwise back Trump wholeheartedly, are angry about his relationship to White, calling her views "heresy," and balking at treating their religion like a get-rich-quick scheme.

From Salon

Just four copies of the reviled heresy survived the flames.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blasphemy 
• fallacy