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

They thought I was guilty of the highest heresy in the all-powerful Church of Fourth-Wave Feminism — choosing a straight man over your femme friends.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Instead, Mr. Carlson excoriated American supporters of Israel, particularly bashing “Christian Zionists” for their “heresy.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Carlson has called Christian Zionism a “heresy” and “brain virus” and has said of today’s Christian Zionists: “I dislike them more than anybody.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Tucker Carlson recently pronounced Christian support for Israel a “heresy” and a “brain virus.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Carlson calls Christian support for Israel a “brain virus” and a “heresy” and says Vladimir Putin is “the most popular leader in the world.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blasphemy 
• fallacy