HERETICAL Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

heretical

adjective

hə-ˈre-ti-kəl

variants also heretic

Definition of heretical

as in dissident

deviating from commonly accepted beliefs or practices the belief that women should be allowed to have careers outside the home was once considered heretical

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of heretical This point can sound almost heretical in modern healthcare discourse, where prevention is frequently framed as both morally superior and financially inevitable. — Jeffrey Wessler, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 Across Bavaria, breweries, beer gardens and festivals are adjusting to a reality that would have sounded almost heretical not so long ago. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 It is associated with the Shiite branch of Islam but is considered heretical by most Muslims. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026 Drunkenness, like madness, protects the messengers of heretical truth from disbelief, disdain, and retaliation. — Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heretical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heretical

Adjective

In addition to sharing that expertise with Mexican cartels, the use of drones in Colombia has also become commonplace among FARC dissident groups.

— Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
The film, which runs at a staggering 165 minutes, took dissident director Khrzhanovsky two decades to make.

— Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of dissident

Adjective

Screening the electron interactions weakened and ultimately eliminated superconductivity, supporting an unconventional mechanism for electron pairing.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Inspired by the unconventional materials and craftsmanship of studio jewelry, the couple fell in love with art jewelry as collectible material culture.

— Livia Caligor, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

Smith is having a banner year, with a solo show at Graham and a survey at MASS MoCA, plus an exhibition at Waldo, Tobias Czudej’s seasonal space in an out-there part of Maine.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
They’re made from a faux leather that, frankly, looks really expensive, and are available in 20 colors, including some more out-there prints.

— Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of out-there

Browse Nearby Words

heretic

heretical

heretics

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Heretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heretical. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of heretical

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

empirical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes