heretical

[ huh-ret-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of heretics or heresy.

   Synonyms: unorthodox, radical, dissident, unconventional

Other Words From

• he·reti·cal·ly adverb
• he·reti·cal·ness noun
• nonhe·reti·cal adjective
• nonhe·reti·cal·ly adverb
• semi·he·reti·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heretical¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word haereticālis. See heretic, -al ¹

Example Sentences

For many Christians, the NAR’s focus on fighting demons is inherently heretical, since it implies that salvation through Christ is insufficient.

From Salon

Of course, what the former president does not understand is that the protection of free expression is most needed when speech is unpopular, offensive, or heretical.

From Salon

Women who sought spiritual emancipation were not always welcome, especially if they strayed too far from orthodoxy, associated with heretical sects or, in the transition from feudalism to capitalism, frustrated efforts to subjugate women, their labor and their reproductive power into exploited and unpaid economic resources.

From Salon

In this regard, she and Helaena hew closer to traditional medieval mysticism, which did not typically use sex for religious emancipation, rather than the practices ascribed to some of the more esoteric heretical sects.

From Salon

The latter practice, regarded by the Jedi as a heretical perversion of nature, underscored the differences between light-siders, who sought harmony with the living Force, and dark-siders, who valued brute strength above all else and foreshadowed the replacement of "a more civilized age" with the techno-fascist Empire.

From Salon