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

Pediatricians now fear the country could backslide in its containment efforts, especially because Kennedy has long criticized childhood vaccinations. —Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2025

Could the Eastern European nation again start backsliding away from democracy? —Malcolm Gladwell, New Yorker, 3 June 2025

Minnesota went 13-4 in coach Kevin O’Connell’s first season before backsliding to 7-10 in 2023. —Jeff Howe, New York Times, 16 May 2025

The announcement comes as nations are backsliding from funding global health. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2025

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