heresy

[ her-uh-see ]

noun

, plural her·e·sies.

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 Words From

• super·here·sy noun plural superheresies

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

I realize this is heresy, but I think it’s important to acknowledge the irreducible strangeness of the drama.

From Los Angeles Times

But such attitudes would be heresy today.

From Salon

Only 5% are willing to confess the heresy that it is “definitely false”, while 25% are agnostically “unsure”.

From Salon

He called it a heresy and an abomination.

From Salon

Yet ever since, he’s been truckling to his fellow House right-wingers, and to Donald Trump, to make up for his perceived heresy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blasphemy
• fallacy