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

Evolutionary theory is no longer heretical, Galileo has been issued a hall pass to heaven, and quite a few sincere if entirely inadequate apologies have been issued, mostly to people long dead.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

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 • Oct. 8, 2025

For the past year, two philosophy professors have been calling around to prominent authors and public intellectuals with an unusual, perhaps heretical, proposal.

From New York Times • Jun. 13, 2024

For many Californians, especially the state’s political leaders, this is a heretical idea—like saying nobody in California’s going to surf anymore.

From Slate • Aug. 3, 2023

She could be his solid land in the tumultuous seas of his heretical thoughts.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman