apostasy

[uh-pos-tuh-see]

noun

plural

apostasies 

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

When To Use

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.