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

These shifts, too, could be seen as versions of his instability, his restless intellect, his continual apostasy.

From The New Yorker

Still, I pressed on to see where the author was going with this horticultural apostasy.

From Seattle Times

Although they sometimes get guidance from senior church authorities on issues of apostasy, it’s unclear whether high-ranking LDS leaders in Salt Lake City have been involved in Helfer’s case.

From Washington Post

Whether the base will forgive him his earlier apostasy is a big question.

From Salon

When the final apostasy came, in late 1961, O’Connor believed that she knew whom to blame.

From The New Yorker