backslide

American  

[bak-slahyd] / ˈbækˌslaɪd /

verb (used without object)

backslid, backslid, backslidden, backsliding

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

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noun

1. an act or instance of backsliding.

   a backslide from his early training.

backslide British  

/ ˈbækˌslaɪd /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• backslider noun

Etymology

Origin of backslide

First recorded in 1575–85; back ² + slide

Example Sentences

He has the ear of government and this is the message he is shouting into it: that there should be no backsliding on implementing the newly enacted Employment Rights Act.

From BBC

Even Grand Rapids is at risk of backsliding, and some parts of the city are struggling with too little opportunity and too few strong families.

From The Wall Street Journal

A former adviser to Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh said Tuesday he will run against him in April elections, denouncing "democratic backsliding" in the small but highly strategic Horn of Africa nation.

From Barron's

The landlocked Central Asian country was once seen as the most democratic in the region, but Japarov has been criticised for backsliding since he came to power after a revolution in 2020.

From Barron's

But the north African nation has since seen democratic backsliding and the re-imposition of aspects of authoritarian rule.

From BBC