plural heresies
1
a
: adherence to a religious opinion contrary to church dogma (see dogma sense 2)
They were accused of heresy.
b
: denial of a revealed truth by a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church
c
: an opinion or doctrine contrary to church dogma
2
a
: dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice
To disagree with the party leadership was heresy.
b
: an opinion, doctrine, or practice contrary to the truth or to generally accepted beliefs or standards
our democratic heresy which holds that … truth is to be found by majority vote—
M. W. Straight
M. W. StraightExamples of heresy in a Sentence
They were accused of heresy.
He was preaching dangerous heresies.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the film, Katharine secretly meets with her friend Anne, a firebrand Protestant reformer who is arrested on charges of heresy during Henry VIII’s reign and is ultimately executed.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Like Anne Boleyn and Thomas More before him, Cromwell was transported to the Tower of London, where he was imprisoned on charges of treason; heresy; and, most implausibly, conspiring to wed Henry’s daughter Mary.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Before becoming pope, Benedict, a Bavarian, was head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, responsible for confronting heresy.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
Ambrose’s writings on scripture and heresy, as well as his hymns, had a profound influence on Western Christian theology; since his death, he has been venerated as a saint.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
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Tim Lammers, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Like Anne Boleyn and Thomas More before him, Cromwell was transported to the Tower of London, where he was imprisoned on charges of treason; heresy; and, most implausibly, conspiring to wed Henry’s daughter Mary.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Before becoming pope, Benedict, a Bavarian, was head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, responsible for confronting heresy.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
Ambrose’s writings on scripture and heresy, as well as his hymns, had a profound influence on Western Christian theology; since his death, he has been venerated as a saint.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heresy
Cite this Entry
“Heresy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heresy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
heresy
noun
her·e·sy
ˈher-ə-sē 
plural heresies
1
: religious opinion that is opposed to the doctrines of a church
2
: opinion that is opposed to a generally accepted belief
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