heretical
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of heretical
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word haereticālis. See heretic, -al 1
Explanation
Something that departs from normally held beliefs (especially religious, political, or social norms) is heretical. If your family is resistant to change, they may consider your idea of making pancakes for dinner to be completely heretical. Heretical is the adjective form of the noun heretic, which comes from the Greek word hairetikos, meaning able to choose. What is considered a heretical point of view can change over time. Examples of positions that were once considered heretical but are now accepted as facts include: the Earth is round, the Earth circles the Sun, and a little bit of chocolate is actually good for you.
Vocabulary lists containing heretical
The Handmaid's Tale
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The Importance of Being Earnest
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Purple Hibiscus
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There is also an increasingly heretical chorus of analysts who don’t believe all that glitters is bitcoin.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026
While such comparisons might seem heretical, Chinese carmakers have shown an ability to surprise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 24, 2026
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 ● Dec. 27, 2025
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
Arnauld’s preoccupation with the fact developed out of the great dispute over whether Jansenism, of which Arnauld was the leading light, was heretical.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
