heretic
a person who holds an opinion contrary to established religious doctrine or orthodox belief
Word origin: From Greek hairetikos, able to choose, from hairein, to choose.
Heretic in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing heretic in a sentence.
The church branded him a heretic for openly questioning its most fundamental teachings.
The astronomer was condemned as a heretic for teaching doctrines the Church had declared false.
Using “heretic” well
A heretic holds beliefs that conflict with established doctrine, originally religious but now any orthodoxy. It is distinct from an atheist, since a heretic typically belongs to the faith yet dissents from its accepted teachings.
More GRE words starting with H
done regularly and repeatedly, as a matter of habit
to make accustomed to something through repeated exposure
the erectile hairs along an animal's neck and back that rise in anger or fear; figuratively, a state of anger (as in 'raise someone's hackles')
made dull and unoriginal through overuse
a biography that idealizes its subject and glosses over flaws
marked by peace, prosperity, and happiness; idyllically calm
to set apart as holy or treat with great reverence
regarded as holy or deeply revered
Questions about “heretic”
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