heretical
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of heretical
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word haereticālis. See heretic, -al 1
Explanation
Something that departs from normally held beliefs (especially religious, political, or social norms) is heretical. If your family is resistant to change, they may consider your idea of making pancakes for dinner to be completely heretical. Heretical is the adjective form of the noun heretic, which comes from the Greek word hairetikos, meaning able to choose. What is considered a heretical point of view can change over time. Examples of positions that were once considered heretical but are now accepted as facts include: the Earth is round, the Earth circles the Sun, and a little bit of chocolate is actually good for you.
Vocabulary lists containing heretical
The Handmaid's Tale
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The Importance of Being Earnest
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Purple Hibiscus
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Heretical as it sounds, comic dialogue, not song, is this production’s strongest suit.
From New York Times • Nov. 14, 2021
Heretical as it sounds, this revisionist take on the revered literary figure captures the essence of a woman born before her time, struggling for independence, driven by the need to write.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2019
Philip Ball's Unnatural: the Heretical Idea of Making People traces the desire to make people back to medieval alchemists.
From The Guardian • Feb. 4, 2011
Heretical books were sought out and destroyed with similar rigour.
From Critical and Historical Essays — Volume 2 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron
Heretical books, including translations of the Bible, were to be surrendered to the bishop.
From History of the Rise of the Huguenots Vol. 1 by Baird, Henry Martyn
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
