Apostate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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apostate

[ษ™หˆpษ’steษชt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

religious

A person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.

Synonyms

defector, renegade, traitor.

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Word Description / Examples
apostate

Describes someone who has completely abandoned their religious or political beliefs; typically used in formal or serious contexts.

  • After years of devotion, he was branded an apostate for his sudden shift to another faith.
  • The government considered him an apostate due to his outspoken criticism of their policies.
traitor

Used for someone who betrays their own country, group, or another person; carries very strong negative connotations.

  • He was branded a traitor for selling state secrets.
  • The general was executed as a traitor to the crown.
defector

Refers to someone who leaves one group or country to join an opposing one; often used in political or military contexts.

  • The defector provided crucial information to the opposing side.
  • She was granted asylum after defecting from her oppressive regime.
renegade

Describes someone who betrays an organization, country, or set of principles; often implies rebellion, with a possibly adventurous or rebellious undertone.

  • The renegade soldier led the resistance against the corrupt government.
  • He was considered a renegade for starting his own faction.

Examples of usage

  • He was considered an apostate by his former church.
  • The apostate was excommunicated from the religious community.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

A person who renounces a political belief or principle.

Synonyms

dissenter, rebel, turncoat.

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Word Description / Examples
apostate

Use this word when referring to someone who has abandoned their religious faith or political beliefs. It often carries a negative connotation.

  • After years of being a devout member, John became an apostate, rejecting all his former beliefs
rebel

Best used when talking about someone who actively resists authority, control, or tradition, often in a confrontational way. It can have both positive and negative connotations depending on the context.

  • The young students decided to rebel against the new school rules, organizing a protest
turncoat

This word is used to describe someone who switches allegiance, especially from one side to an opposing one. It has a negative connotation, implying betrayal.

  • He was labeled a turncoat after he abandoned his former allies to join the opposition
dissenter

This word describes a person who disagrees with the majority opinion or the prevailing beliefs, especially in a religious or political context. It is a neutral term.

  • In the meeting, she was the lone dissenter, voicing her concerns against the new policy

Examples of usage

  • The apostate was accused of treason.
  • The government labeled him an apostate for his political views.
Context #3 | Adjective

general

Having abandoned one's religious or political beliefs or principles.

Synonyms

disloyal, treacherous, unfaithful.

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Word Description / Examples
apostate

Used to describe someone who has abandoned their religious faith or political beliefs.

  • He was considered an apostate after he left the church
  • The group punished any apostate who tried to leave the movement
unfaithful

Used to describe someone who is not loyal, especially in relationships, such as an adulterous partner.

  • He ended the relationship after discovering she had been unfaithful
  • Her unfaithful behavior shattered his trust in love
disloyal

Used to describe someone who does not support or is not faithful to a person, country, or organization that they are expected to support.

  • She was upset when her friend proved to be disloyal by revealing her secrets
  • His disloyal behavior cost him his job
treacherous

Used to describe someone or something that is guilty of or involving betrayal or deception and is often associated with danger or risk.

  • Navigating the treacherous waters required great skill
  • He was known for his treacherous actions during the negotiation, deceiving everyone he could

Examples of usage

  • He was seen as an apostate leader by his followers.
  • The apostate politician lost support due to his changing beliefs.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Religious Context

  • In many religions, apostasy is viewed seriously and can carry social or legal penalties.
  • Historically, apostates were often ostracized or persecuted, reflecting the intense emotional and cultural weight of faith.

Literature

  • Apostasy has been a common theme in literature, often exploring the struggles of faith and doubt.
  • Prominent writers, like Fyodor Dostoevsky, used characters grappling with apostasy to delve into existential questions about belief and morality.

Psychology

  • The act of becoming an apostate can be linked to personal transformations or crises, showing how values evolve over time.
  • Studies in social psychology suggest that group identity often plays a critical role in the decision to leave a faith or ideology.

Cultural Impact

  • In modern society, discussions about apostasy often intersect with debates on freedom of belief and expression.
  • The concept reflects broader issues of identity, community ideology, and the search for personal truth in a diverse world.

Origin of 'apostate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Greek 'apostasia,' meaning 'to stand away from,' which reflects the action of leaving a belief.
  • Apostate was borrowed into English in the late 14th century, showing its long-standing presence in theological discussions.

The word 'apostate' comes from the Late Latin 'apostata', which in turn is derived from the Greek 'apostatฤ“s', meaning 'a runaway slave' or 'deserter'. The term originally referred to someone who had abandoned their faith or political allegiance. Over time, 'apostate' has come to be used more broadly to describe someone who renounces deeply held beliefs or principles.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,340, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.