heretical

American  

[huh-ret-i-kuhl] / həˈrɛt ɪ kəl /

adjective

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

   Synonyms:

   radical, dissident, unconventional, unorthodox

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Other Word Forms

• heretically adverb
• hereticalness noun
• nonheretical adjective
• nonheretically adverb
• semiheretical adjective

Etymology

Origin of heretical

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

Example Sentences

In Hoffman’s view, the ability for beliefs that are traditionally regarded as heretical to spread among self-identified Christians is deeply tied to two phenomena.

From Salon

Ralph and his colleagues tried to figure out why certain La Niña and El Niño water years were, as they put it, “heretical” — acting with “radical deviation” to what they would expect.

From Los Angeles Times

That view isn’t especially heretical among some Fed watchers, given disagreements about the role the Fed’s balance sheet plays in the markets.

From Barron's

Call me heretical, but sometimes I feel that way about L.A.’s palm trees.

From Los Angeles Times

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