What does it mean if something is described as 'heretical'?

When something is described as 'heretical', it typically means that it departs from established or accepted beliefs, particularly in a religious or ideological context. This term is often associated with ideas or actions that challenge or contradict the prevailing doctrines or norms of a particular system.

In a religious sense, heretical views may be those that oppose the fundamental tenets of a faith, leading to a rejection or condemnation of the ideas by mainstream followers. In a broader context, labeling an idea as heretical suggests that it breaks away from conventional wisdom or widely accepted practices, encouraging critical thinking and innovation but often facing resistance or backlash as a result.