backslide

American  

[bak-slahyd] / ˈbækˌslaɪd /

verb (used without object)

backslid, backslid, backslidden, backsliding

1. to relapse into bad habits, sinful behavior, or undesirable activities.

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noun

1. an act or instance of backsliding.

   a backslide from his early training.

backslide British  

/ ˈbækˌslaɪd /

verb

1. (intr) to lapse into bad habits or vices from a state of virtue, religious faith, etc

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Other Word Forms

• backslider noun

Etymology

Origin of backslide

First recorded in 1575–85; back ² + slide

Example Sentences

How did public health backslide so hard that it undid decades of progress—and is there any hope we can get back on track?

From Slate • Jul. 11, 2025

And that does feel like a bit of a backslide because of the constriction of this industry right now.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2024

Every year teachers and parents observe how summer vacations lead some children’s academic progress to backslide.

From Scientific American • Jun. 29, 2023

Multiple board members said that they want the county to continue to work on improvements before the 2024 election and not to backslide on work already done.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 20, 2023

"Ez Sally Harper used ter say in meetin', 'We're all on us poor critters, an' if we jine, there's no tellin' when we'll backslide.'"

From Rockhaven by Munn, Charles Clark