heretic

1 of 2

noun

her·​e·​tic ˈher-ə-ˌtik 

ˈhe-rə-

1

religion : a person who differs in opinion from established religious dogma (see dogma sense 2)

specifically : a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church who refuses to acknowledge or accept a truth made known through divine inspiration

The church regards them as heretics.

2

: one who differs in opinion from an accepted belief or doctrine : nonconformist

heretic

2 of 2

adjective

her·​e·​tic ˈher-ə-ˌtik 

ˈhe-rə-

less common variant of heretical

1

: of or relating to adherence to a religious opinion contrary to church dogma : characterized by heresy

heretical writings

2

: of, relating to, or characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards : unorthodox

It would be heretical to suggest changing company policy.

Synonyms of heretic

Noun

• dissenter
• dissident
• renegade

Examples of heretic in a Sentence

Noun

The church regards them as heretics.

Galileo was condemned as a heretic for supporting Copernicus's thesis that the earth revolves around the sun and not vice versa.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As Democratic heretics go, Representative Dan Goldman isn’t guilty of many crimes against his party. — Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026

Of course, the ultrafinitist, as the heretic without stable foundations, has a lot more to prove. — Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026

These religions, and these religions alone, generate the categories of heretic and unbeliever, false god and idolater, even Devil worshipper. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026

Those who don’t cling to the faith are heretics. — Kerry Jackson, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English heretik, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French heretic, heretik, borrowed from Late Latin haereticus, hereticus, borrowed from Late Greek hairetikós, from hairetikós, adjective, "departing from dogma, heretical," going back to Greek, "able to choose, due to choice," from hairetós "that may be taken, eligible, chosen," verbal adjective of haireîn "to take, grasp, (middle voice) obtain, choose, prefer" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at heresy

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

heretic

noun

her·​e·​tic ˈher-ə-ˌtik 

: a person who believes or teaches something opposed to accepted beliefs