apostasy

noun

apos·​ta·​sy ə-ˈpä-stə-sē 

plural apostasies

1

: an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith

2

: abandonment of a previous loyalty : defection

Examples of apostasy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to Iran’s Islamic Shariah law, converting from Islam is considered apostasy and is a crime punishable by death. —Julie Turkewitz, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025

Throughout its engagement with the OIC, the special envoy has prioritized the protection of human rights, routinely championing the equal rights of religious minorities and opposing laws that criminalize blasphemy and apostasy. —Arsalan Suleman, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2017

Whether his parents realize the extent of his apostasy isn’t clear. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025

Sharia, or Islamic religious law, as interpreted by the government considers conversion from Islam apostasy, a crime punishable by death, according to the U.S. State Department. —Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English apostasie, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin apostasia, borrowed from Greek apostasía "defection, revolt, (Septuagint) rebellion against God" (Late Greek, "defection, apostasy"), variant (with -ia -ia entry 1) of apóstasis, from aposta-, variant stem of aphístamai, aphístasthai "to stand away from, keep aloof from, revolt," middle voice of aphístēmi, aphistánai "to put away, remove, cause to revolt" (from aph-, assimilated variant of apo- apo- + histánai "to cause to stand, place") + -sis -sis — more at assist entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

apostasy

noun

apos·​ta·​sy ə-ˈpäs-tə-sē 

plural apostasies

: a giving up of a religious faith or a previous loyalty