heresy
opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, especially of a church or religious system.
the maintaining of such an opinion or doctrine.
Roman Catholic Church. the willful and persistent rejection of any article of faith by a baptized member of the church.
any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs, customs, etc.
Origin of heresy
1Other words for heresy
Other words from heresy
- su·per·her·e·sy, noun, plural su·per·her·e·sies.
Words Nearby heresy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use heresy in a sentence
The trial in which he was convicted by the Inquisition for “vehement suspicion of heresy” exerted a chilling effect on progress in deciphering the laws governing the cosmos.
Galileo the Science Publicist - Issue 103: Healthy Communication | Mario Livio | July 14, 2021 | NautilusYes, I know this is heresy, especially the part about investment bankers.
AT&T dividend cut in WarnerMedia-Discovery deal is a debacle for shareholders | Allan Sloan | May 21, 2021 | Washington PostDays later, Bridenstine took this heresy further when he suggested SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket could boost humans to the Moon.
So long Senator Shelby: Key architect of SLS rocket won’t seek reelection | Eric Berger | February 9, 2021 | Ars TechnicaThat might sound like heresy coming from a veteran journalist, and Cose knows it.
Some free-speech norms are in danger. Maybe that’s a good thing. | Kenneth Mack | November 6, 2020 | Washington PostA person close to the family told the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle that he was initially arrested for heresy.
Trust Iran? It Just Hanged a Man Who Doubted ‘Jonah and the Whale’ | IranWire | September 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
His move to the Tribune would be followed by a move to a suburban manse—“heresy!”
The Stacks: John Schulian’s Classic Profile of Newspaper Columnist Mike Royko | John Schulian | January 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA few hundred years later, Belgian cartographer Gerard Mercator was charged with heresy.
But by doing his job, he may have committed unforgivable heresy in a Santorum-leaning party.
Lessons From the Fiscal Cliff: the Political Fallout | Robert Shrum | January 4, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe find led to the discovery of other similar lakes and floods, but was initially disbelieved because it was “geological heresy.”
How Noah’s Flood Spurred Science: David R. Montgomery’s ‘The Rocks Don’t Lie’ | David Sessions | August 28, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTJoan Boughton, a widow, was burned for heresy; said to be the first female martyr of England.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellProbably this is due to the long association of intellectuality and science with heresy.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel ConwayJohn Penry, an English controversial writer, executed for heresy against the episcopacy.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellConstantine (the Great) called the first council of Nice to determine on the Arian heresy.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellThird cumenical council assembled at Ephesus, to execute the decree of pope Celestine as to the heresy of Nestorius.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
British Dictionary definitions for heresy
/ (ˈhɛrəsɪ) /
an opinion or doctrine contrary to the orthodox tenets of a religious body or church
the act of maintaining such an opinion or doctrine
any opinion or belief that is or is thought to be contrary to official or established theory
belief in or adherence to unorthodox opinion
Origin of heresy
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for heresy
A belief or teaching considered unacceptable by a religious group. (See heretic.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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