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

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.

Example Sentences

Heretical as it sounds, comic dialogue, not song, is this production’s strongest suit.

From New York Times • Nov. 14, 2021

Heretical as it sounds, this revisionist take on the revered literary figure captures the essence of a woman born before her time, struggling for independence, driven by the need to write.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2019

Philip Ball's Unnatural: the Heretical Idea of Making People traces the desire to make people back to medieval alchemists.

From The Guardian • Feb. 4, 2011

Heretical books were sought out and destroyed with similar rigour.

From Critical and Historical Essays — Volume 2 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron

Heretical praise must be cast into the scale to counterbalance the weight of orthodox invective.

From History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 4 by Milman, Henry Hart