# heresy

/ˈhɛɹəsi/ (US) · /hˈɛɹəsi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heresy
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. religious conflict

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a religious belief that is different from the official teachings of a church.

For teachers: a doctrine or opinion at variance with established religious dogma, especially when held by a member of that religion.

- In the past, people were sometimes punished for heresy if they disagreed with the church.
- The medieval scholar was charged with heresy after publishing a treatise that questioned the absolute authority of the papacy.

### 2. unorthodox opinion

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

an opinion that goes against what most people in a group or profession believe is true.

For teachers: an opinion or doctrine at odds with what is generally accepted within a particular field, such as science or politics.

- Suggesting that the company should stop making its most famous product was seen as heresy.
- In the tight-knit scientific community of the time, his rejection of the established laws of physics was regarded as professional heresy.

## Examples

- In the past, people were punished for heresy.
- The scientist's new theory was considered heresy by his colleagues, who had spent decades defending the old model.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.