apostate

[ uh-pos-teyt, -tit ]

noun

1. a person who forsakes his religion, cause, party, etc.

adjective

1. of or characterized by apostasy.

apostate

/ ˌæpəˈstætɪkəl; əˈpɒsteɪt; -tɪt /

noun

1. a person who abandons his religion, party, cause, etc

adjective

1. guilty of apostasy

Derived Forms

• apostatical, adjective

Other Words From

• ap·o·stat·i·cal·ly [ap-, uh, -, stat, -ik-lee], adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of apostate¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Late Latin apostata, from Greek apostátēs, equivalent to apósta(sis) apostasy + -tēs, noun suffix

Example Sentences

No rush of suburban women for Harris materialized; no apostate Republican bloc followed Liz Cheney into the Harris camp.

From Slate

The trial, which is expected to last weeks, has a fascinating list of potential witnesses: Michael Cohen, Trump’s former fixer turned apostate, who made the payment; Karen McDougal, a Playboy model who says she, too, had an affair with Trump; and Hope Hicks, a former aide to Trump.

From Seattle Times

The prosecutor said Mr Alid "followed an extreme interpretation of Islam" and believed Mr Nouri, 31 at the time, was an "apostate", or "someone who had denied their religion", as he was converting to Christianity, which meant he "deserved to die".

From BBC

For how long can she remain an apostate to the cause and keep her presidential ambitions alive?

From Slate

On the other hand, in a new book, apostate Republican and former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney says that McCarthy claimed to her that he only made his post–Jan. 6 visit to Florida because Trump was “depressed” and “not eating” at the time.

From Slate