heretical

play

adjective he·ret·i·cal \hə-ˈre-ti-kəl\

variants: or less commonly

heretic

play \ˈher-ə-ˌtik, ˈhe-rə-\

Definition 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.

heretically

play \hə-ˈre-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See heretical defined for kids

Examples of heretical in a Sentence

the belief that women should be allowed to have careers outside the home was once considered heretical

Recent Examples of heretical from the Web

His foreign minister was an Ahmadi, another small sect that some Muslims regard as heretical.

— The Economist, "Post-partum depressionSeventy years of Indo-Pakistani enmity," 22 July 2017
Though he's been condemned as a heretic by some for questioning the traditional view of hell and affirming gay rights, Bell doesn't think of himself as heretical.

— greg garrison, AL.com, "Rob Bell, ex-megachurch pastor and "What is the Bible?" author, sells out Iron City," 7 July 2017
With coal production on the decline, one energy company is pursuing a project that might seem heretical in this eastern Kentucky mining region: a solar-energy farm.

— arian campo-flores, WSJ, "Hit Hard by Coal’s Decline, Eastern Kentucky Turns to Drones, Tomatoes, Solar Energy," 23 May 2017
The Yazidi minority, whose ancient faith combines aspects of Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Judaism, is considered heretical by the Islamic extremists.

— Washington Post, "Iraqi boys’ harrowing tale of captivity, training by IS," 10 May 2017
Amid reports of intense closed-door deliberations over who should be secretary of state, Ms. Conway had seemed intent on committing a heretical political act by an aide: boxing in her boss.

— michael d. shear and maggie haberman, New York Times, "Challenging the Boss in Public? For Kellyanne Conway, It’s Part of the Job," 28 Nov. 2016
Other theories claim the Templars discovered treasure, or the Holy Grail, or some heretical secret (i.e. that Jesus married Mary Magdalene, or never rose from the grave).

— National Geographic, "Busting the Myth of Friday the 13th and the Knights Templar," 12 May 2016
From the heretical Communist slums of gritty Belgrade to the Gothic industrial castles of artsy Torino…

— bruce sterling, WIRED, "New Bruce Sterling short-story collection appears," 29 Dec. 2011

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