Definition of lapsed
:having ceased to be active in practice, membership, or belief
- a lapsed Catholic
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Recent Examples of lapsed from the Web
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The senator said the bill would resemble a previously lapsed law that required the attorney general to petition a three-judge panel to choose a prosecutor.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lapsed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of lapsed
1638
Other Christian Religious Terms
LAPSED Defined for English Language Learners
lapsed
play
adjective
Definition of lapsed for English Language Learners
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: no longer believing or following the teachings of a religion
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: no longer effective or valid
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Nglish: Translation of lapsed for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lapsed for Arabic speakers
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