heretical

adjective

he·​ret·​i·​cal hə-ˈre-ti-kəl 

variants or less commonly heretic

ˈher-ə-ˌtik 

ˈhe-rə-

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

hə-ˈre-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

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

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 on the Web

Al-Assad was part of the Alawite community, a group seen as heretical by some opposition fighters. —Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 8 Dec. 2024

Cities Start to Question an American Ideal: A House With a Yard on Every Lot Single-family zoning is practically gospel in America, but a number of officials across the country are starting to make seemingly heretical moves. Sept. 2019 56. —The Upshot Staff, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2024

That conclusion, supported by the highly respected and circumspect Collins, was considered heretical. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Oct. 2024

Thirst won the Jury Prize at Cannes and was nominated for the Palme d’Or, which is some great prestige for this heretical South Korean horror drama. —Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heretikel, borrowed from Medieval Latin haereticālis, from Late Latin haereticus heretic + Latin -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

heretical

adjective

he·​ret·​i·​cal hə-ˈret-i-kəl 

: of, relating to, or characterized by heresy : unorthodox

heretically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb