backslide

[ bak-slahyd ]

/ ˈbækˌslaɪd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR backslide ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), back·slid, back·slid or back·slid·den, back·slid·ing.

to relapse into bad habits, sinful behavior, or undesirable activities.

noun

an act or instance of backsliding: a backslide from his early training.

Nearby words

backside-to, backsight, backslap, backslapping, backslash, backslide, backsliding, backsource, backspace, backspin, backsplash

Origin of backslide

First recorded in 1575–85; back² + slide

Related forms

back·slid·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for backslide

But what about the formerly middle-class African Americans who find themselves on the backslide?
How Much Does 'Culture' Matter for 'Inner-City' Poverty?|Jamelle Bouie|March 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is a thing of very common occurrence, inside the different denominations, for their members to backslide, as they call it.
Life and Labors of Elder John Kline, the Martyr Missionary|John Kline
Having slept in a duchess's bed, Kedzie would not backslide.
We Can't Have Everything|Rupert Hughes
So far as is known the converted enemy to Society did not backslide; the Lone Wolf never prowled again.
Alias The Lone Wolf|Louis Joseph Vance

And I did hope that the convert was not tempted to backslide and swerve from the truth in his answers.
An Australian in China|George Ernest Morrison
If thou turn us not, we shall never turn; it is in our nature to backslide for ever.
The Power of Faith|Isabella Graham

British Dictionary definitions for backslide

backslide

/ (ˈbækˌslaɪd) /

verb -slides, -sliding, -slid, -slid or -slidden

(intr) to lapse into bad habits or vices from a state of virtue, religious faith, etc

Derived Forms

backslider, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012