heretical

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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

Incarcerated, not so much for his libidinous ways, but for gambling, cheating tourists, his flagrant libertinism in the face of the Venetian Inquisition, and his heretical interests in alchemy and the kabbalah.

— gaile robinson, star-telegram, "Kimbell’s ‘Casanova’ follows the seducer’s trail through Europe – adult-only art and all," 30 Aug. 2017
And worse than that, positive agenda achievement lacking in bombastic style is heretical.

— david l. bahnsen, National Review, "A Profound Tension Point for Conservatives," 21 Aug. 2017
The Cedros Island sites add to a small but growing list that supports a once-heretical view of the peopling of the Americas.

— lizzie wade, Science | AAAS, "Most archaeologists think the first Americans arrived by boat. Now, they’re beginning to prove it," 10 Aug. 2017
Extinction would be somewhat sacrilegious, almost heretical.

— randy dotinga, The Christian Science Monitor, "How woolly mammoth bones baffled previous generations," 8 Aug. 2017
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

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.

Origin and Etymology of heretical

see heresy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

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heretical Synonyms

Synonyms

dissentient, dissenting, dissident, heterodox, iconoclastic, maverick, nonconformist, nonorthodox, out-there, unconventional, unorthodox

Antonyms

conforming, conformist, conventional, orthodox

Related Words

free-spirited, freethinking, nontraditional; apostate, defecting, renegade; schismatic (also schismatical), sectarian, separatist

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

Learn More about heretical

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for heretical Spanish Central: Translation of heretical Nglish: Translation of heretical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of heretical for Arabic speakers

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heretical

Definition of heretical

heretically

Examples of heretical in a Sentence

Recent Examples of heretical from the Web

Origin and Etymology of heretical

heretical Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Other Christian Religious Terms

Learn More about heretical

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heretical

Definition of heretical

heretically

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