Heresy
/ˈhɛrəsi/
Definitions
2 meaningsAny belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs, especially religious doctrines.
/ˈhɛrəsi/
A belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine.
The council declared his teachings to be heresy.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a rule that everyone *must* eat pizza on Fridays. If someone says they don't like pizza on Fridays, that's like heresy – going against the usual way things are done.
👶 For kids: When someone believes something that's different from what most people in their church or group believe, like if they have a different idea about God.
More Examples
Galileo's ideas were considered heresy by the Church.
The book explores the history of heresy and its impact on society.
To some, questioning authority is akin to heresy.
How It's Used
"The church condemned the preacher's views as heresy."
"In the Middle Ages, challenging the Church was often considered heresy."
Any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs, customs, etc.
/ˈhɛrəsi/
Any belief or action that contradicts what is generally accepted.
His revolutionary ideas were considered heresy by the establishment.
💡 Simply: Imagine everyone in your school loves to wear blue. If you start wearing orange and saying blue is boring, that's like heresy! It goes against the usual.
👶 For kids: If you have a special idea that's different from what most people think is true, like a secret.
More Examples
To suggest that the project would fail was, to some, project management heresy.
The book explores the heresy of modern science, especially its impact on religion.
For some, questioning the popular culture is a form of heresy.
How It's Used
"In the company, questioning the CEO's decisions was seen as heresy."
"For the political party, suggesting a different approach to climate change was considered political heresy."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a burning heretic
A person or thing that has been declared wrong and in violation of accepted dogma.
"The politician became a burning heretic after proposing radical reforms."
From Late Latin *haeresis*, from Greek *hairesis* 'choice, school of thought', related to *hairein* 'to take, seize'. Initially used to describe philosophical choices, it came to specifically denote religious dissent, especially within Christianity.
In the medieval period, heresy was a serious crime punishable by death. Texts from this era discuss the trials and tribulations of those accused of heresy.
Memory tip
Think of 'heretic' as someone who breaks the rules of the church and spreads dangerous ideas.
Word Origin
"Choice, school of thought"