noun
apostate
Apostate (noun) means someone who has given up their religious faith.
noun
1
Someone who has given up their religious faith.
2
(religion) Someone who was ordained and later gives up their role as clergy.
3
Someone who has abandoned a political party or a cause they once supported.
"But the most politically damaging blow came from a late-breaking apostate: Mr. Clooney, who just weeks earlier had spent time with Mr. Biden and helped deliver $28 million to his campaign at a Los Angeles fund-raiser."
— Theodore Schleifer, How Biden Lost George Clooney and Hollywood (2024)
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like apostate.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Etymology
Came from Late Latin apostata, from Ancient Greek ἀποστάτης (apostátēs, 'rebel'), from ἀφίστημι (aphístēmi, 'to withdraw, revolt'), from ἀπό (apó, 'from') plus ἵστημι (hístēmi, 'to stand').
Related words
Rhymes for apostate
See all rhymes for apostate →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of apostate?
"apostate" (noun) means someone who has given up their religious faith.
What is another word for apostate?
Other words for "apostate" include renegade, ratter, recreant, turncoat, deserter.
What is the opposite of apostate?
Opposites of "apostate" include adherent, supporter.
What are the different meanings of apostate?
"apostate" has 3 main meanings: 1. Someone who has given up their religious faith; 2. (religion) Someone who was ordained and later gives up their role as clergy; 3. Someone who has abandoned a political party or a cause they once supported.
