Apostate: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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