variants also heretic
Definition of hereticalnext
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

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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 That’s because The Carpenter’s Son is not only gruesomely horror-leaning, but it’s based on the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, which some deem heretical or even blasphemous. Barry Levitt, Time, 14 Nov. 2025 Another option is to be a bit heretical. Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025 The lacunae in the record lead Greenblatt to sprinkle breadcrumbs of heretical thought through his tale. Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025 In Charlton’s world, this was serious, almost heretical, praise. Michael Walker, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heretical
Adjective
  • But cartels and dissident groups still control pockets of the country, cocaine exports are at an all-time high and Colombia remains one of the world's most economically unequal countries.
    CBS News, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • The group is a dissident faction of the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Most unconventional of all was their repertoire.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026
  • Often considered one of the worst films of all time, the movie has become a cult favorite thanks to its bizarre storytelling and unconventional filmmaking style.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Board member Renee Paschall cast the lone dissenting vote on the final package.
    Elizabeth Sander, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Aug. 2022
  • The document runs to more than a hundred and fifty pages, and for each question there are affirmative and dissenting studies, as well as some that indicate mixed results.
    The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 3 June 2022
Adjective
  • The ballerina sneaker trend is just the latest in a line of kooky shoe creations that range from wearable to wildly out-there.
    Aemilia Madden, Glamour, 18 June 2026
  • This is also by far the coolest crowd at the festival, a sea of designer outfits, out-there silhouettes, fresh haircuts, and even bouquets of flowers.
    E.R. Pulgar, SPIN, 10 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Heretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heretical. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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