Definition of apostate
:one who commits apostasy
—
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Read the Latest from M-W
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 of apostate from the Web
-
Ultraconservative Sunni clerics in Saudi Arabia have in the past referred to Shiites as apostates, and Shiite protesters have been accused of being allied with the kingdom’s rival, Iran.
-
The Sunni militant group considers Shiite Muslims as apostates.
-
In the shocked Senate chamber after the crucial vote, McConnell seemed near tears, furious at the three apostates who frustrated his Republicans-only process, and completely out of ideas.
-
When Sen. Zell Miller, already a Democratic apostate, retired in 2004, Republicans began to systemically take over statewide offices, and hold them all today.
-
The majority of Iranian citizens are Shiites, whom ISIS regards as apostates.
-
That makes them prime targets for Islamic State militants, who are Sunnis and consider Shiites to be apostates.
-
The Sunni militant group views Shiites as apostates.
-
The Sunni extremists view Shiites as apostates deserving of death.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apostate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of apostate
apostate Synonyms
Synonyms
renegade, defector, deserter, recreantAntonyms
loyalistRelated Words
betrayer, double-crosser, quisling, traitor, traitress (or traitoress), turnabout, turncoat; abandoner, come-outer, dropout, leaver; defier, insurgent, insurrectionary, insurrectionist, mutineer, rebel, red, revolter, revolutionary, revolutionist, revolutionizer; discontent, malcontent; recusant, refusenik (also refusnik), refuserNear Antonyms
adherent, disciple, follower, supporter; fanatic, militant, partisan (also partizan), zealotOther Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra
APOSTATE Defined for English Language Learners
apostate
play
noun
Definition of apostate for English Language Learners
-
: someone whose beliefs have changed and who no longer belongs to a religious or political group
Learn More about apostate
-
See words that rhyme with apostate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for apostate Spanish Central: Translation of apostate Nglish: Translation of apostate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of apostate for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up apostate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!