apostate

noun

apos·​tate ə-ˈpä-ˌstāt 

-stət

: one who commits apostasy

apostate adjective

Synonyms

• deserter
• traitor
• renegade
• rebel
• insurgent
• defector

Examples of apostate in a Sentence

an apostate from communism, he later became one of its harshest critics

became an apostate to liberalism after he had gotten wealthy

Recent Examples on the Web

The killings, which began with clashes between Assad loyalists and pro-government forces, turned into an all-out sectarian pogrom targeting Alawites, members of an Islamic sect who dominate Syria’s coastal regions and are viewed by some Muslims as apostates. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025

On the walls, someone had spray painted graffiti calling Alawites dogs and apostates. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025

In light of the death of bin Laden and new opportunities to topple apostate regimes afforded by the Arab Spring, this stage ended up having to be adjusted. —Bruce Hoffman, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2016

Image Stone, 60, is that increasingly familiar figure in conservative life: an apostate from the mainstream, in recovery from her earlier liberalism. —Marc Tracy, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English apostata, apostate, in part continuing Old English apostata (weak noun), in part borrowed from Anglo-French apostate, apostata, both borrowed from Late Latin apostata "rebel against God, fallen Christian, heretic," borrowed from Late Greek apostátēs "rebel against God, apostate," going back to Greek, "defector, rebel," from aposta-, variant stem of aphístamai, aphístasthai "to stand away from, keep aloof from, revolt" + -tēs, agent suffix — more at apostasy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

apostate

noun

apos·​tate ə-ˈpäs-ˌtāt 

-tət

: one who commits apostasy

apostate adjective