heretic

/ˈhɛrətɪk/
noun
  1. A person who holds beliefs that go against the official teachings of a religion, especially Christianity.
    • The historian described the reformer as a heretic who challenged centuries of tradition.
    • The church declared him a heretic and excommunicated him for his writings.
    • During the Inquisition, suspected heretics were often forced to recant their views.
  2. A person who holds opinions or beliefs that are strongly opposed to what is generally accepted in a particular group or field.
    • The scientist was labeled a heretic by colleagues for questioning the dominant theory.
    • Among traditional chefs, using a microwave is almost the mark of a heretic.
    • In the fashion industry, she was considered a heretic for rejecting seasonal trends.
What does "heretic" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean