apostasy

[ uh-pos-tuh-see ]

noun

, plural a·pos·ta·sies.

1. a total desertion of or departure from one's religion, principles, party, cause, etc.

apostasy

/ əˈpɒstəsɪ /

noun

1. abandonment of one's religious faith, party, a cause, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of apostasy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English apostasye, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin apostasia, from Greek: “defection, revolt, withdrawal,” from apóstas(is) (equivalent to apo- apo- + stásis stasis ) + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of apostasy¹

C14: from Church Latin apostasia, from Greek apostasis desertion, from apostanai to stand apart from, desert

Example Sentences

Have a look at this telling research from Pew on blasphemy and apostasy laws around the world.

From The Daily Beast

Khartoum says Meriam Ibrahim, a Christian, must hang for “apostasy.”

From The Daily Beast

Saudi Arabia has recently beheaded women for “sorcery” but has avoided apostasy trials involving its few Christian converts.

From The Daily Beast

No one is known to have been executed for apostasy in Sudan since 1991, when it was made a capital crime.

From The Daily Beast

I reached Goldwater by phone in Hawaii where he is lecturing at the university to ask him about his apparent apostasy.

From The Daily Beast

Thy own wickedness shall reprove thee, and thy apostasy shall rebuke thee.

From Project Gutenberg

Have we not here one of the plainest admissions of the total apostasy of the so-called Christian church?

From Project Gutenberg

They were framed with malignant ingenuity, so as to leave no chance of escape save in open apostasy.

From Project Gutenberg

Michael, however, looked very doubtful over his demanded apostasy.

From Project Gutenberg

True, Cranmer came to himself; he perceived that he was mocked, and felt both grief and shame in view of his apostasy.

From Project Gutenberg