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heresy

HER-uh-see /ˈher.ə.si/

nounC1GRESATTOEFL

formalliteraryacademic

Belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (or accepted) doctrine.

In religious contexts, heresy is a formal deviation from established dogma. In secular contexts, it refers to any opinion that strongly challenges the accepted consensus of a group or field.

The story behind the word. The word 'heresy' has a surprisingly neutral origin. It comes from the Greek 'hairesis', which simply meant 'a choosing' or 'a choice'. In ancient Greece, it referred to a school of thought or a philosophical sect. It was only when early Christian writers began using it to describe dissenting groups that it took on the negative meaning of a dangerous, forbidden belief.

Word relationships

unorthodoxy: Unorthodoxy is a general departure from traditional views, while heresy is a more formal, active, and often condemned opposition to established doctrine.
dissidence: Dissidence is active disagreement with a government or authority, whereas heresy focuses on disagreement with a belief system.

orthodoxy: Orthodoxy is the authorized or generally accepted theory, doctrine, or practice.
conformity: Conformity is compliance with standards, rules, or laws.

Commonly confused with

hearsay: Hearsay is information received from other people that cannot be substantiated (rumor), whereas heresy is an unorthodox belief.

Word family

heretic (noun): A person believing in or practicing religious heresy.
heretical (adjective): Believing in or practicing heresy.
heretically (adverb): In a heretical manner.

Collocations

commit heresy
accused of heresy
scientific heresy
political heresy

Example sentences

"In the medieval period, questioning the church's teachings was punished as heresy." A history of the medieval church.
"The physicist's radical new theory was initially dismissed as scientific heresy by his peers." A modern scientific debate.

Memory hook

Think of 'her' choice to say 'yes' to an unorthodox belief. She chose her own path, which the authorities called heresy. An unorthodox choice of belief.

When not to use

Do not use for a simple disagreement or a minor difference of opinion; heresy implies a fundamental challenge to the core beliefs of an institution.

Fun facts

Galileo Galilei was famously tried by the Roman Inquisition in 1633 for heresy because he championed heliocentrism—the idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun.