Heretical Meaning

/həˈɹɛtɪkəl/
C2

Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Listen pronunciation

adjOf or pertaining to heresy or heretics.

adjContrary to mainstream or accepted opinion.

Tom grew up in a heretical sect.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The priest's ____ ideas caused him to be excommunicated.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Galileo's support for the idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun was once considered ____.

From Middle English, borrowed from Middle French eretical and from Medieval Latin haereticālis, from haereticus, equivalent to heretic + -al. See heretic.

"At least as Auxentius reports him in the covering letter which precedes Ulfila’s confession, he is as vehement in his opposition to what he sees as heretical alternatives to his own form of belief as most other participants in the controversies of the time. Heretics are not Christians but antichrists. Homoousians, Homoiousians, and Macedonians are all included in this blanket condemnation." — 1996, Maurice Wiles, “[The End of Arianism] Gothic Christianity”, in Archetypal Heresy: Arianism through the Centuries, Oxford, Oxon: Clarendon Press, →ISBN, page 43:

Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words

CEFR Practice Quiz
The priest's ____ ideas caused him to be excommunicated.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Galileo's support for the idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun was once considered ____.

Expand Your Vocabulary with LexUp

Master English words using smart flashcards, play exciting word rounds, and compete with other learners worldwide.

Browse CEFR Words Alphabetically