backslide

verb

back·​slide ˈbak-ˌslīd 

backslid ˈbak-ˌslid  ; backslid or backslidden ˈbak-ˌsli-dᵊn  ; backsliding ˈbak-ˌslī-diŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to lapse morally or in the practice of religion

2

: to revert to a worse condition : retrogress

backslide noun

backslider

ˈbak-ˌslī-dər 

noun

Examples of backslide in a Sentence

Smokers who quit often backslide within a year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Democracies are backsliding and freedom is increasingly under threat across the globe. —Jason Carter, Time, 4 Sep. 2025

To dismiss them outright risks backsliding into a stricter, more limited understanding of masculinity. —Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025

There’s always the potential for progress to backslide. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025

Some suggestions will raise eyebrows, as when the author counsels Poland to address democratic backsliding with a public relations campaign, urges that Ukraine be allowed to join NATO, and advocates a serious Western effort to promote regime change in Russia. —Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backslide

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

backslide

verb

back·​slide ˈbak-ˌslīd 

backslid -ˌslid  ; backslid or backslidden -ˌslid-ᵊn  ; backsliding -ˌslīd-iŋ 

1

: to go back to a less religious or less moral condition

2

: to go back to a worse condition

backslide noun

backslider

-ˌslīd-ər 

noun