heretical

[huh-ret-i-kuhl]

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

Nearby words

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word haereticālis. See heretic, -al¹

SYNONYMS FOR heretical

Related forms

he·ret·i·cal·ly, adverbhe·ret·i·cal·ness, nounnon·he·ret·i·cal, adjectivenon·he·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb

sem·i·he·ret·i·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

This is a heretical view and if it were left at that, I don't think much good would come of it.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Either way, the FSA-ISIS feud got worse after the McCain visit with the Northern Storm, which ISIS viewed as a heretical act.
Obama Administration and Sotloff Family Battle Over Blame for Journalist’s Kidnapping|Josh Rogin|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Son of God is so awful that it borders on godless—not sinful or heretical, just lacking true Spirit.
‘Son of God’: Why Are Jesus Movies Always Lame?|Matthew Paul Turner|March 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conservatives have written the whole thing off as the heretical pursuit of the Bush administration.
The Daily Beast Recommends|The Daily Beast|March 24, 2009|DAILY BEAST

That on his refusing to abjure these heretical opinions, he was turned over to the inquisition, by whom he was finally condemned.
Fox's Book of Martyrs|John Foxe
Under the action of such principles apocryphal books tended to pass into the class of spurious and heretical writings.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2|Various
A single stroke would thus disencumber Rome of both the heretical doctor and the heretical university.
History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Vol 2|J. H. Merle D'Aubign
The heads of the order are heretical, cruel, and sacrilegious men.
Secret Societies of the Middle Ages|Thomas Keightley
To confute heresy was his chief delight; and his vanity was indulged to its utmost when the heretical Lambert was tried.
Body, Parentage and Character in History|Furneaux Jordan

Word Origin and History for heretical

adj.

early 15c., from Middle French eretical and directly from Medieval Latin haereticalis, from haereticus (see heretic).