What does heretics mean?
“Heretics” is the regular plural of “heretic,” meaning people whose religious beliefs or teachings conflict with the established doctrine of their faith. The term historically applied to Christians and others who were expelled, shunned, or punished by religious authorities. It also has a broader figurative use for people who challenge prevailing beliefs or authoritative institutions, although that use often suggests that the dissenter is being unfairly dismissed. In modern writing, “heretic” can sound deliberately confrontational or accusatory, while “heresy” more neutrally names the belief or doctrine regarded as unacceptable. The distinction between a person and a belief is important: heretics are the people who hold or promote heretical views, whereas heresies are the views themselves. The word is best used in historical, religious, or explicitly polemical contexts.
plural nounPeople whose beliefs or teachings conflict with the established or orthodox doctrine of their religion. By extension, people regarded as rejecting prevailing beliefs, doctrines, or authorities.
- People whose religious beliefs or teachings conflict with the accepted doctrine of their faith.
- By extension, people who reject established beliefs, doctrines, or authorities and are consequently treated as dissidents.
"The bishop warned that anyone who denied the church's authority would be branded a heretic."
"The council condemned the movement as a nest of heretics, while its members insisted they were simply reforming the church."
"In the debate, she was dismissed as a heretic for challenging the assumptions of the entire profession."
The regular plural of “heretic,” used when referring to multiple people whose beliefs or teachings are regarded as heretical.
"The authorities banished several heretics from the city."
The word that became an accusation began with an act of choosing: its Greek ancestor could refer to someone who chose a doctrine for himself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of heretics
English “heretic” came through Old French “heretique” from Latin “haereticus,” an adjective meaning “heretical.” Latin borrowed the term from Greek “hērētēskos,” meaning one who dissents or chooses a doctrine, from “haireteō,” “to choose.” The same root underlies English words including “heresy,” “heretical,” and “heresiologist.”
Related word forms
How heretics is actually used
The primary sense is religious, while the broader sense is metaphorical and often concerns political, philosophical, or scientific disagreement. The word can be strongly accusatory, so it is more appropriate when disagreement is being explicitly condemned or treated as disloyalty. The singular is “heretic.”
Easily confused with heretics
Heretics are people who hold or promote beliefs regarded as heretical, whereas heresies are the beliefs or doctrines themselves.