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

“To the fundamentalist leadership of al-Qaida, Saddam represented the worst kind of ‘apostate’ regime,” they wrote.

From The Daily Beast

However, [the scholars] are disputed over [the issue of] capturing apostate women.

From The Daily Beast

This ever-so-slight heart-bleed for immigrant children branded him a party apostate, and he began to change course.

From The Daily Beast

At first, he was sentenced to execution for being an apostate.

From The Daily Beast

Godane rejects the idea of Al-Shabab negotiating with the Somali federal government, an “apostate government” he dubs it.

From The Daily Beast

But the distrust which the old traitor and apostate inspired was not to be overcome.

From Project Gutenberg

Rather may it be said, they hate counterfeits and are indignant at the assumptions of apostate Christendom.

From Project Gutenberg

Going back still another hundred years we come to the times of the notorious apostate, Marcion.

From Project Gutenberg

The internal divisions, too, aggravate our weakness; and now, even Most has turned apostate.

From Project Gutenberg

He renounced Christianity and is known in history as Julian the Apostate.

From Project Gutenberg