backslide
verb
back·slide
ˈbak-ˌslīd 
backslid
ˈbak-ˌslid
; backslid or backslidden
ˈbak-ˌsli-dᵊn
; backsliding
ˈbak-ˌslī-diŋ
; backslid or backslidden
ˈbak-ˌsli-dᵊn
; backsliding
ˈbak-ˌslī-diŋ
1
: to lapse morally or in the practice of religion
2
: to revert to a worse condition : retrogress
backslide
noun
Example Sentences
Smokers who quit often backslide within a year.
Recent Examples on the Web
More to the point, news outlets got better at covering Trump’s lies in real time, both in interviews and in news coverage, over the course of his presidency; there’s no real reason to expect significant backsliding there.
—
Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 4 May 2023
The uproar over the new law comes amid growing concern about backsliding in democracies that replaced dictatorships in many parts of Latin America after the Cold War.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2023
McAvoy, backsliding to cut off the middle, lost his grip on the ice and knocked Swayman out of the way of the puck.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Apr. 2023
Worries that countries will backslide on plans to reduce their use of fossil fuels have shadowed the summit, largely because of a global energy crisis precipitated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that forced some countries to seek out coal and other alternatives to Russian gas.
—Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2022
As coronavirus cases spike across California, three more Bay Area counties could backslide as soon as next week to a more restrictive tier in the state’s reopening plan — which would place new limits on businesses as the critical holiday season gets under way.
—Kellie Hwang, SFChronicle.com, 11 Nov. 2020
The accumulation of these stories has an effect even if progress is too slow and backsliding is inevitable.
—Charles Mcnulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2023
Eventually, as the therapy wore off, Samantha began to backslide, with seizures returning every couple of weeks or so.
—Elie Dolgin, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2023
Worth remembering, though, that Henry's entire series-premiere subplot was backsliding into catering.
—Darren Franich, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
See More
Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 4 May 2023
The uproar over the new law comes amid growing concern about backsliding in democracies that replaced dictatorships in many parts of Latin America after the Cold War.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2023
McAvoy, backsliding to cut off the middle, lost his grip on the ice and knocked Swayman out of the way of the puck.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Apr. 2023
Worries that countries will backslide on plans to reduce their use of fossil fuels have shadowed the summit, largely because of a global energy crisis precipitated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that forced some countries to seek out coal and other alternatives to Russian gas.
—Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2022
As coronavirus cases spike across California, three more Bay Area counties could backslide as soon as next week to a more restrictive tier in the state’s reopening plan — which would place new limits on businesses as the critical holiday season gets under way.
—Kellie Hwang, SFChronicle.com, 11 Nov. 2020
The accumulation of these stories has an effect even if progress is too slow and backsliding is inevitable.
—Charles Mcnulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2023
Eventually, as the therapy wore off, Samantha began to backslide, with seizures returning every couple of weeks or so.
—Elie Dolgin, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2023
Worth remembering, though, that Henry's entire series-premiere subplot was backsliding into catering.
—Darren Franich, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backslide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Articles Related to backslide
Dictionary Entries Near backslide
Cite this Entry
“Backslide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backslide. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.
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Kids Definition
backslide
verb
back·slide
ˈbak-ˌslīd
1
: to go back to a less religious or less moral condition
2
: to go back to a worse condition
backslide
noun
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