What does heretical mean?
Heretical is an adjective meaning connected with heresy: beliefs or practices regarded as contradicting established religious doctrine, an institution's teachings, or an accepted orthodoxy. The term is most familiar in discussions of religion and theology, where it may identify an idea, interpretation, text, movement, or group as departing from authoritative teaching. It can also be used more broadly for political, philosophical, or cultural positions considered dangerously unconventional. The word usually has a critical tone, so describing something as heretical implies that some established authority has rejected it. In careful writing, the relevant authority and the specific disagreement may need to be explained, since what counts as heretical can vary according to time, place, and perspective. Heretical should not be confused with the noun heretic, which denotes a person associated with heretical beliefs.
adjectiveRelating to heresy or to beliefs regarded as contrary to established religious or doctrinal authority. It can also describe ideas, practices, or groups that reject orthodox teaching.
- Relating to heresy or to beliefs contrary to established religious or doctrinal authority.
- Characterized by rejection or modification of orthodox teaching, especially in religious or ideological contexts.
"The committee debated whether the manuscript contained heretical interpretations of the scripture."
"The scholar was accused of spreading heretical ideas after questioning the church's interpretation of scripture."
"The committee dismissed the proposal as heretical, even though its authors described it as a reform rather than a rejection of the faith."
Heretical means more than simply unconventional: it points to beliefs judged to stand outside an established religious or doctrinal authority.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does heretical come from?
The word comes through Latin and French forms ultimately associated with the Greek hairetikos, meaning “of a faction” or “heretical.” Its deeper root is the Greek hairesis, “choice,” “selection,” or “sect,” related to hairein, “to choose or take.” Over time, the term developed from an idea of choosing or forming a separate faction into the modern sense of beliefs rejected by an established religious authority.
Related word forms
How heretical is actually used
The word is formal and commonly occurs in religious, theological, historical, or ideological discussions. It often carries a strongly condemnatory implication, although that judgment depends on the speaker and the authority whose teachings are being challenged.
Easily confused with heretical
A heretic is a person who holds or advocates heretical beliefs, whereas heretical is an adjective describing beliefs, practices, or groups associated with heresy.