Apostate: meaning, definitions and examples

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apostate

 

[ əˈpɒsteɪt ]

Noun / Adjective
Context #1 | Noun

religious

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

Synonyms

defector, renegade, traitor

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

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

Examples of usage

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

Translations

Translations of the word "apostate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 apóstata

🇮🇳 धर्मत्यागी

🇩🇪 Abtrünniger

🇮🇩 murtad

🇺🇦 відступник

🇵🇱 apostata

🇯🇵 背教者 (はいきょうしゃ)

🇫🇷 apostat

🇪🇸 apóstata

🇹🇷 mürted

🇰🇷 배교자

🇸🇦 مرتد

🇨🇿 odpadlík

🇸🇰 odpadlík

🇨🇳 叛教者

🇸🇮 odpadnik

🇮🇸 trúvillingur

🇰🇿 діннен безген

🇬🇪 განდგომილი

🇦🇿 mürtəd

🇲🇽 apóstata

Word origin

The word 'apostate' comes from the Late Latin 'apostata', which in turn is derived from the Greek 'apostatēs', 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.