as in dissent
departure from a generally accepted theory, opinion, or practice
the heresy of asserting that Shakespeare was not a great writer
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Recent Examples of heresy
When something is so embedded in our routines, even a small shift can feel like heresy.
—
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Throughout those two years of production, making the film became increasingly risky, as the Russian government cracked down on any heresy against its nationalistic agenda.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 9 Dec. 2025
Its namesake was astronomer Galileo Galilei, who spent the last eight years of his life under house arrest for heresy for his findings supporting Copernicus’ theory that the sun is the center of the solar system.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
It was considered a heresy by many even in Darwin’s day.
—Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heresy
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Throughout those two years of production, making the film became increasingly risky, as the Russian government cracked down on any heresy against its nationalistic agenda.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 9 Dec. 2025
Its namesake was astronomer Galileo Galilei, who spent the last eight years of his life under house arrest for heresy for his findings supporting Copernicus’ theory that the sun is the center of the solar system.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
It was considered a heresy by many even in Darwin’s day.
—Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heresy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heresy
Noun
-
Russia’s online crackdown sparks rare dissent The Kremlin’s tightening of internet restrictions is fueling discontent across Russia, leading to rare signs of domestic dissent.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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The Vatican’s 2023 declaration allowing an informal blessing, promulgated with virtually no consultation outside the Vatican, sharply divided the church, with African bishops delivering a continent-wide dissent and refusing to implement it.—
Nicole Winfield,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But Dhillon’s apparent moderation during that time might also be read as a different way of communicating the same underlying heterodoxy from her Review days.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
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Shalom Auslander’s literary career has been built on equal parts comedy, heterodoxy and self-loathing.—
Mark Athitakis,
Washington Post,
25 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Heresy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heresy. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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