apostatize

American  

[uh-pos-tuh-tahyz] / əˈpɒs təˌtaɪz /

especially British, apostatise

verb (used without object)

apostatized, apostatizing

1. to commit apostasy.

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apostatize British  

/ əˈpɒstəˌtaɪz /

verb

1. (intr) to forsake or abandon one's belief, faith, or allegiance

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Usage

What does apostatize mean? Apostatize means to totally abandon or reject one’s religion.It can also be used in a slightly more general way to mean to totally abandon or reject one’s principles, cause, party, or other organization.The act of doing so is called apostasy, and someone who does so can be called an apostate.These words typically imply that before the rejection, one had a strong connection or involvement. They are all usually used in a way that’s critical of such abandonment—or that at least implies that others who remain in the religion or cause are critical of the departure.Apostasy is sometimes used more specifically to refer to a rejection of Christianity, but apostasy and apostatize are also used in the context of other religions, such as Islam.Example: The pastor’s sermon condemned those who apostatize—the trouble is, the apostates weren’t there to hear it.

Other Word Forms

• apostatism noun
• unapostatized adjective

Etymology

Origin of apostatize

From the Late Latin word apostatīzāre, dating back to 1545–55. See apostate, -ize

Example Sentences

The conundrum is one that has nothing to do with Rodrigues’s decision whether to lay down his life, but with his reluctance to apostatize, even in the face of others’ deaths.

From Washington Post • Jan. 5, 2017

He certainly kept in the Church many Catholics who were ready to apostatize.

From Saint Augustin by O'Sullivan, Vincent

Is this the man likely to apostatize from every principle that can bind him to the State—his birth, his property, his education, his character, and his children?

From Irish Wit and Humor Anecdote Biography of Swift, Curran, O'Leary and O'Connell by Anonymous

How could men apostatize from a cause which they had served with unflinching fidelity until it was completely triumphant?

From Political Recollections 1840 to 1872 by Julian, George W.

It is well known that for many years past, it is hither that the Christians who have refused to apostatize, have been exiled from all the provinces of China. 

From Travels in Tartary, Thibet, and China During the years 1844-5-6. Volume 1 [of 2] by Huc, Evariste Regis