heretics

[/ˈhɛrətɪks/]
nounpl: heretics (already plural; singular: heretic)
hereges
1. People who hold or express religious or political opinions that contradict accepted doctrine or established authority
The medieval church condemned heretics who questioned its teachings.
A Igreja medieval condenou os hereges que questionavam seus ensinamentos.
2. Persons who reject or oppose established beliefs, principles, or standards within any field
Some consider these scientists heretics for challenging the prevailing theory.
Alguns consideram esses cientistas hereges por desafiarem a teoria predominante.
The term 'heretics' carries significant historical weight, particularly in Western contexts where the Catholic Inquisition prosecuted religious dissenters. In modern usage, it is often employed metaphorically to describe those who challenge mainstream thinking in academia, science, or politics. In Brazil, the term remains primarily associated with religious contexts, though it is occasionally used in academic discussions of intellectual dissent.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
dissentersnonconformistsschismaticsapostatesrebels
Antonyms / Antônimos
believersconformistsorthodoxtraditionalists

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
hereges
Standard term used in religious and academic contexts
Rio de Janeiro
hereges
No significant regional variation
São Paulo
hereges
No significant regional variation
Portugal
hereges
Identical usage; sometimes encountered in historical references to Inquisição Portuguesa

Related Words

heresyhereticalorthodoxyinquisitiondissent

Related Idioms & Phrases

burn heretics at the stake
heretic's fork (historical torture device reference)
call someone a heretic
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →