apostasy
7 synonyms and 4 antonyms for apostasy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of giving up or renouncing a religious faith that one previously held.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
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.”
Opposites
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.”
Opposites
How to Use Apostasy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.