ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Heretic

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈhɛɹɪtɪk/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Heretic is a noun meaning Someone whose beliefs are contrary to the fundamental tenets of a religion they claim to belong to.

Meaning

Someone whose beliefs are contrary to the fundamental tenets of a religion they claim to belong to.

More Meanings

  1. (by extension) Someone who does not conform to generally accepted beliefs or practices.
  2. (archaic) Heretical; of or pertaining to heresy or heretics.

Example Sentences

He semeth a sysmatyke Or els an heretike, For fayth in hym is faynte.
In the framework of traditional medical ethics, the patient deserves humane attention only insofar as he is potentially healthy and is willing to be healthy—just as in the framework of traditional Christian ethics, the heretic deserved humane attention only insofar as he was potentially a true believer and was willing to become one.

Word Forms

Synonyms for heretic

Depending on context, synonyms include dissident, nonconformist, sectarian, separatist, withersake, misbeliever.

Antonyms for heretic

Common opposites include orthodox.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include misbeliever, heresy, heretical, cult, nonconformist, relapsed.

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Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

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