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

Clemson had won nine or more games from 2011-24 before backsliding a year ago. — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Seattle has struggled much more in attack in 2026, and the club has backslid over the last month to 12th in the Western Conference, scoring 21 goals in 19 matches. — Tom Bogert, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Youth movement Youth will be one of the determining factors in whether this team moves forward, stagnates or backslides. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Memories of Imperial Japan’s human rights abuses were still fresh in people’s minds – fueling fears that any such law or intelligence reform could backslide once again to surveillance, militarism and repression. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

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