apostasy

American  

[uh-pos-tuh-see] / əˈpɒs tə si /

noun

PLURAL

apostasies

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

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apostasy British  

/ əˈpɒstəsɪ /

noun

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

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Usage

What does apostasy mean? Apostasy is the act of totally abandoning or rejecting one’s religion (or the state of having abandoned or rejected it).It can also be used in a slightly more general way to refer to the act of totally abandoning or rejecting one’s principles, cause, party, or other organization.The word typically implies that before the rejection, one had a strong connection or involvement. Someone who abandons their religion or cause in this way can be called an apostate. Both apostasy and apostate are 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 the term is also used in the context of other religions, such as Islam.A common misspelling of apostasy is apostacy.Example: The pastor’s sermon condemned apostasy—the trouble is, the apostates weren’t there to hear it.

Etymology

Origin of apostasy

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

Example Sentences

Later that year, a judge recommended that he also be tried for apostasy, which carries the death penalty, because Mr Badawi had refused to "repent to God".

From BBC

He added that “Taliban ideology is much more fundamentalist and extreme” on the question of what the Islamists view as “apostasy” from the nation’s official faith.

From Washington Times

No one was ever quite sure what motivated Smith’s apostasy, whether personal resentment of his former ally FDR or the financial blandishments of his new friends.

From Los Angeles Times

Both the far right and far left employ a culture of purging anyone guilty of apostasy.

From New York Times

His apostasy was difficult for Soviet leaders to accept.

From Washington Post