heresiarch
noun
he·re·si·arch hə-ˈrē-zē-ˌärk 
ˈher-ə-sē-
ˈher-ə-sē- : an originator or chief advocate of a heresy
Synonyms
- dissenter
- dissentient
- dissident
- heretic
- nonconformist
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
his about-face on welfare reform has led him to be seen as a heresiarch among his party's faithful
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Late Latin haeresiarchēs, haeresiarcha, borrowed from Greek hairesiárchēs, "leader of a school or sect," from haíresis "system of principles, sect, faction" + -archēs -arch entry 1 — more at heresy
First Known Use
1624, in the meaning defined above
heresiarch
noun
as in dissenter
a person who believes, teaches, or advocates something opposed to accepted beliefs his about-face on welfare reform has led him to be seen as a heresiarch among his party's faithful Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dissenter
- dissident
- renegade
- heretic
- dissentient
- schismatic
- infidel
- separatist
- sectarian
- nonconformist
- defector
- unbeliever
- bohemian
- apostate
- separationist
- individualist
- disbeliever
- misbeliever
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- believer
- conformist
- conformer