Heterodox

adjective (also occasionally noun)

/ˈhɛtərədɒks/

Holding beliefs or opinions that differ from established or orthodox doctrine, especially in religion; in Indian philosophy, referring to schools (such as Buddhism and Jainism) that rejected the authority of the Vedas.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

By legitimising heterodox approaches such as Modern Monetary Theory in mainstream policy discourse, the committee signalled a willingness to question the long-standing orthodoxy of fiscal conservatism.

Synonyms

unorthodoxhereticaldissentingunconventionalnonconformistdissident

Antonyms

orthodoxconventionalconformistmainstream

🌱 Word Family

heterodoxy (n), heterodoxly (adv), orthodoxy (n, antonym), unorthodox (adj), heterodoxies (n pl)

🔡 Root

Greek heteros = other, different; doxa = opinion, belief; heterodoxos = holding a different opinion

📜 Etymology

From Ancient Greek heterodoxos, from heteros ("other, different") + doxa ("opinion, belief"); first used in English in the early 1600s.

🧠 Memory Hook

"Hetero" means OTHER + "dox" (as in doctrine/doxa = opinion) = holding the OTHER opinion, i.e. not the orthodox one.

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Buddhism & Jainism — Origins, Teaching...

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