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

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.

From Nautilus

Yes, I know this is heresy, especially the part about investment bankers.

From Washington Post

Days later, Bridenstine took this heresy further when he suggested SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket could boost humans to the Moon.

From Ars Technica

That might sound like heresy coming from a veteran journalist, and Cose knows it.

From Washington Post

A person close to the family told the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle that he was initially arrested for heresy.

From The Daily Beast

His move to the Tribune would be followed by a move to a suburban manse—“Heresy!”

From The Daily Beast

A few hundred years later, Belgian cartographer Gerard Mercator was charged with heresy.

From The Daily Beast

But by doing his job, he may have committed unforgivable heresy in a Santorum-leaning party.

From The Daily Beast

The find led to the discovery of other similar lakes and floods, but was initially disbelieved because it was “geological heresy.”

From The Daily Beast

Joan Boughton, a widow, was burned for heresy; said to be the first female martyr of England.

From Project Gutenberg

Probably this is due to the long association of intellectuality and science with heresy.

From Project Gutenberg

John Penry, an English controversial writer, executed for heresy against the episcopacy.

From Project Gutenberg

Constantine (the Great) called the first council of Nice to determine on the Arian heresy.

From Project Gutenberg

Third cumenical council assembled at Ephesus, to execute the decree of pope Celestine as to the heresy of Nestorius.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blasphemy
• fallacy