heresy

noun

her·​e·​sy ˈher-ə-sē 

ˈhe-rə-

plural heresies

1

a

: 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

2

a

: 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

• dissent
• dissidence
• heterodoxy
• nonconformity

Example Sentences

They were accused of heresy.

He was preaching dangerous heresies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her writings caused no scandal like the one unleashed by the twelfth-century theologian Peter Abelard, who, after espousing principles of universal reason and individual intention, faced accusations of heresy. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023

Some may think the cocktail is an act of heresy in the first place. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2023

This week’s column indulges in acts of heresy by questioning the continued relevance of our elders — specifically, the almost-60-year-old antideferral rules. —Robert Goulder, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2021

Others joined Ellis in criticizing Warnock, who is an ordained minister, with some also accusing him of heresy. —Emma Colton, Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2021

And indeed, such a claim was treated as heresy of the highest order. —Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 29 July 2011

Both witchcraft and heresy, Mr. Gaskill notes, were terrors that touched the Puritan soul. —Barbara Spindel, WSJ, 22 Nov. 2022

Then LeRette interprets: A skeptic is trying to trick Jesus into contradicting Judaic law, into uttering a heresy. —Andrew Kay, WIRED, 17 Jan. 2023

One generation’s heresy is the next generation’s gospel. —Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

heresy

noun

her·​e·​sy ˈher-ə-sē 

plural heresies

1

: religious opinion that is opposed to the doctrines of a church

2

: opinion that is opposed to a generally accepted belief