Definition of heretic
1 religion : a person who differs in opinion from established religious dogma (see dogma 2); especially : a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church who refuses to acknowledge or accept a revealed truth The church regards them as heretics.
2 : one who differs in opinion from an accepted belief or doctrine : nonconformist
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Examples of heretic in a Sentence
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 of heretic from the Web
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The Islamic State’s other main target were mosques connected to Shiites, whom the militants consider heretics.
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The Islamic State’s other main target were mosques connected to Shiites, whom the militants consider heretics.
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After taking office, Trump installed campaign toadies to monitor at least 16 key departments and report heretics to a White House deputy chief of staff.
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The liberal as heretic, pursued and denounced by the angry children of the liberal ideal.
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The liberal as heretic, pursued and denounced by the angry children of the liberal ideal.
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Musayyib and Karbala are predominantly Shiite Muslim, a sect that IS reviles and considers heretics.
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The liberal as heretic, pursued and denounced by the angry children of the liberal ideal.
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On this date: In 1431, Joan of Arc, condemned as a heretic, was burned at the stake in Rouen (roo-AHN’), France.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heretic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of heretic
see heresy
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra
HERETIC Defined for English Language Learners
heretic
playDefinition of heretic for English Language Learners
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: someone who believes or teaches something that goes against accepted or official beliefs
HERETIC Defined for Kids
heretic
playDefinition of heretic for Students
: a person who believes or teaches something opposed to accepted beliefs (as of a church)
Learn More about heretic
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See words that rhyme with heretic Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for heretic Spanish Central: Translation of heretic Nglish: Translation of heretic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of heretic for Arabic speakers
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