Definition
Heresy refers to any belief or opinion that goes against the accepted doctrines, principles, or teachings of a particular religion or ideology.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Noun
Synonyms
Dissent, apostasy, unorthodoxy, nonconformity, deviation, heterodoxy
Antonyms
Orthodoxy, conformity, agreement, acceptance
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | heresies, heresy |
| Verb | None |
| Adjective | heretical |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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The bishop condemned the heresy of the new religious sect and warned his congregation to avoid its teachings.
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The scientist’s theory was considered heresy by the conservative scientific community.
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The philosopher’s ideas were considered heretical by the authorities of the time, leading to his persecution.
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The novel’s protagonist was accused of heresy by the religious authorities for his unorthodox views on religion.
Usage
Heresy is a noun that is used to refer to a belief or opinion that is contrary to the established teachings or doctrines of a particular religion or ideology. The word originated from the Greek word ‘hairesis’, which means ‘choice’ or ‘sect’. It was initially used to refer to a particular sect or group that held divergent beliefs from the established teachings of the Church.
The word heresy can be used in various contexts, including religious, political, or scientific. It is often used to describe beliefs or opinions that are considered controversial, unconventional, or radical. The term can also be used to refer to individuals or groups who hold such beliefs or opinions.
The word heresy can be modified by various prefixes and suffixes to create related words. For example, the prefix ‘hetero-’ can be added to create the word ‘heterodoxy’, which refers to a belief or opinion that differs from the accepted doctrine. The suffix ‘-ism’ can be added to create ‘heresyism’, which refers to the act of holding or promoting heretical beliefs.
In some cases, the word heresy may be used in a more general sense to refer to any belief or opinion that is considered to be against the mainstream or the established order. For example, a political opinion or a social practice that goes against the prevailing norms and values may be considered heretical. However, this usage is less common than the religious or ideological usage of the term.