Definition of heterodoxynext
as in dissent
departure from a generally accepted theory, opinion, or practice Copernicus's theory that the earth revolved around the sun was arrant heterodoxy at a time when the earth was thought to be the center of the universe

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of heterodoxy But Dhillon’s apparent moderation during that time might also be read as a different way of communicating the same underlying heterodoxy from her Review days. Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026 Shalom Auslander’s literary career has been built on equal parts comedy, heterodoxy and self-loathing. Mark Athitakis, Washington Post, 25 July 2024 The third or worst scenario would be if Rome would for some reason fail to address this situation on time; the heterodoxy would consequently rashly spread within the Church. Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021 Trump’s heterodoxy and disruptiveness provided the equivalent of an enormous natural experiment, and the results were surprising. Oren Cass, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2021 Four months later, Wilson was ousted as CEO of Ascend, having already been stripped of his responsibilities as early as July, just one month after expressing his heterodoxy. Madeline Fry Schultz, Washington Examiner, 10 Dec. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heterodoxy
Noun
  • These were moments of extraordinary dissent against the British government by American colonists.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The 6-3 ruling included dissents from conservative-leaning Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Amy Coney Barrett.
    Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Joan of Arc was acquitted and declared innocent of alleged heresy by a retrial verdict 25 years after her execution by burning.
    USA Today, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • While Ono faced the public just days after being named UF’s preferred candidate, Bell has spent more than two weeks under the microscope as conservative activists, bloggers and political operatives sifted through his decade-long record in Alabama searching for evidence of ideological heresy.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Heterodoxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heterodoxy. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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