noun
Uncommon
heresy
HEH-ruh-see
Heresy (noun) means a belief that goes against the official teachings of a religion. Example: “He was accused of heresy for questioning the church's doctrine.”
noun
1
A belief that goes against the official teachings of a religion.
"He was accused of heresy for questioning the church's doctrine."
2
Any opinion that strongly conflicts with what a group generally accepts as true.
"Suggesting the company change its logo felt like heresy to some employees."
How to use heresy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA belief that clashes sharply with official or widely accepted views, originally in religion but now used more broadly.
Common pairings
commit heresy
accused of heresy
religious heresy
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Word forms
- Plural
- heresies
Fill the gap
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He was accused of _____ for questioning the church's doctrine.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek hairesis ("choice, school of thought"), via Old French heresie and Latin haeresis.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for heresy
See all rhymes for heresy →Frequently asked questions
What does “heresy” mean?
The word “heresy” means a belief that goes against the official teachings of a religion. In plain terms, a belief that clashes sharply with official or widely accepted views, originally in religion but now used more broadly.
How do you pronounce “heresy”?
“Heresy” is pronounced HEH-ruh-see (/ˈhɛɹəsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “heresy” in a sentence?
Here is “heresy” used in a sentence: “He was accused of heresy for questioning the church's doctrine.”
What part of speech is “heresy”?
“Heresy” is a noun.
Where does the word “heresy” come from?
The word “heresy” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek hairesis ("choice, school of thought"), via Old French heresie and Latin haeresis.
Is “heresy” a common word?
“Heresy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “heresy” have?
“Heresy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a belief that goes against the official teachings of a religion.
