apostasy

4 antonyms for apostasy — opposites grouped by meaning.

Noun — The act of giving up or renouncing a religious faith that one previously held.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The act of giving up or renouncing a religious faith that one previously held.

“In some countries apostasy is still treated as a criminal offence.”

renunciation defection backsliding recantation tergiversation

Opposites

conversion fidelity

2. noun

The abandonment of a political cause, party or set of principles one formerly supported.

“Voting with the opposition was, to his old allies, plain apostasy.”

betrayal desertion disloyalty

Opposites

loyalty allegiance

Antonyms

conversion fidelity loyalty allegiance

How to use apostasy

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

accused of apostasy charge of apostasy act of apostasy laws against apostasy

Formal, and often disapproving: it is a label applied by those left behind rather than one people usually claim for themselves.

Etymology

From Greek apostasis 'defection, revolt', literally a standing away, from apo 'away from' and stasis 'a standing'.

Full origin of apostasy →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between apostasy and heresy?

Apostasy is leaving the faith altogether, while heresy is staying within it but holding beliefs the religion rejects. A heretic still claims membership of the tradition; an apostate no longer does.

Is apostasy the same as blasphemy?

No. Blasphemy is speech or action that insults what a religion holds sacred, and someone can commit it without ever having belonged to that faith. Apostasy requires having held the belief first and then abandoning it.

People also searched

conversion loyalty allegiance betrayal fidelity renunciation recantation desertion defection disloyalty backsliding

Nearby words

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