Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'A belief or opinion that goes against the established doctrine, especially in religion or ideology'.

Correct — B. Heresy is a belief or opinion contrary to orthodox doctrine, especially religious doctrine. It is also used of any opinion sharply at odds with what is generally accepted.

That wider sense covers the stem's 'or ideology' → option (b).

The person who holds such a belief is a heretic. The word goes back to Greek hairesis, 'choice'.

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  Sedition — Sedition is speech or conduct inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state. It is an offence against rulers, not a belief against doctrine.
• (c)
  Blasphemy — Blasphemy is speaking irreverently about God or sacred things. It describes how the sacred is spoken of, not a belief that departs from doctrine.
• (d)
  Schism — Schism is a split within a group, especially the formal separation of a church. It names the break that disagreement can cause, not the dissenting belief itself.

One-word substitution rewards matching what kind of thing the definition names. Here it is a belief or opinion, measured against established doctrine.

All four options name some break with authority, which is why they look close. Sedition is an act against the state. Blasphemy is irreverent speech. Schism is a split in a body of people.

Heresy is the option that names a belief, and a belief against doctrine.

Key facts

• Heresy is a belief or opinion contrary to orthodox, especially religious, doctrine.
• Sedition is conduct or speech inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.
• Blasphemy is speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things.
• A schism is a split within a group, especially the formal separation of a church.

Common traps

• Choosing Blasphemy because both words belong to religion, without checking that the definition asks for a belief
• Choosing Schism because a heresy can split a church, confusing the belief with its result

No directly related past PYQ was found.