heresy

noun

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her·e·sy | \ ˈher-ə-sē

, ˈhe-rə- \

plural heresies

Definition of heresy

1a : adherence to a religious opinion contrary to church dogma (see dogma sense 2) They were accused of heresy.

b : denial of a revealed truth by a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church

c : an opinion or doctrine contrary to church dogma

2a : dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice To disagree with the party leadership was heresy.

b : an opinion, doctrine, or practice contrary to the truth or to generally accepted beliefs or standards our democratic heresy which holds that … truth is to be found by majority vote— M. W. Straight

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About heresy

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Examples of heresy in a Sentence

They were accused of heresy. He was preaching dangerous heresies.

Recent Examples on the Web One imagines that Frank would see much of what passes for conservativism today as more heresy than principle. — Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 28 Aug. 2021 But Lewellen’s views about the state leaders’ embrace of popery and heresy played a central part in it. — Brendan Mcconville, Time, 28 Sep. 2021 Among them was another of Italy’s greatest poets, Guido Cavalcanti, although Dante wouldn’t spare his father from damnation for heresy. — Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2021 To have eyesight is the stuff of heresy and legend, whereas one’s blindness is embraced and revered. — Steven Aquino, Forbes, 31 Aug. 2021 Some of these traditionalists and Catholics already were among Francis' fiercest critics, with some accusing him of heresy for having opened the door to letting divorced and civilly remarried Catholics receive Communion. — Arkansas Online, 17 July 2021 See, which stars Jason Mamoa and Alfre Woodward, takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where everyone is Blind and the very notion of a person having sight is the stuff of heresy and legend. — Steven Aquino, Forbes, 11 June 2021 Purists will call Banana Ball heresy, but fans love the nonstop entertainment on and off the field. — BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2021 Neither, by God, is going to let the schools infect their children with any heresy. — Arkansas Online, 9 July 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heresy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for heresy

Middle English heresie, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed (with assimilation to the suffix -ie -y entry 2) from Late Latin haeresis, heresis "school (of philosophy or theology), sect, belief contrary to church dogma," borrowed from Greek haíresis "act of taking, choice, course of action or thought, system of principles, sect, faction," from haireîn "to take, grasp, (middle voice) obtain, choose, prefer" (of obscure origin) + -sis -sis

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