apostasy

noun

Definition of apostasynext
as in schism

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of apostasy For Pittsburghers, whose city had for so long been singularly defined by the production of steel, the idea that industrial competitiveness was not paramount bordered on apostasy. — Christopher Briem, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026 This triggers a slippery slope toward apostasy — that is, de-prioritizing mindedness toward church vetted preoccupations. — Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026 Marc makes an example of the penitent, powerless Jeanne, reminding the rest of his flock of the punishment for apostasy and using her rough time among the heathens as proof of why none under his control should ever want to trade his order for such modern sin and depravity. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026 According to a Pew Research Center Poll in 2013, 88 percent of Egyptian Muslims and 62 percent of Pakistani Muslims support the death penalty for apostasy. — Andrew L. Peek, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2016 See All Example Sentences for apostasy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apostasy
  1. schism
  2. defection
  3. separatism
  4. scission
  5. infidelity
  6. heresy
  7. deviation
  8. misconception
Noun
  • The Vatican said dialogue was offered to the ​group ahead of the schism and that the step of ordaining ​bishops without ⁠church approval was considered so grave that excommunication was automatic.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • Parishioners at Saint Agnes said they were saddened by the schism and would continue to pray for a united church.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of schism
Noun
  • South Korea took a soldier from the North into custody after the individual crossed the heavily fortified border this week in what is believed to be a defection, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported Wednesday.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • But there have also been a number of high-profile defections and sporting tensions, such as Iran’s only female Olympic medallist, Kimia Alizadeh, leaving the country in 2020.
    — Tamara Davison, Wired News, 17 June 2026
Definition of defection
Noun
  • Opinion polls indicate that separatism in Alberta lacks broad appeal, however.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 22 May 2026
  • These tactical innovations have been reinforced by deliberate efforts at broadening the support base for Baloch separatism.
    — Amira Jadoon, The Conversation, 13 May 2026
Definition of separatism
Noun
  • When the nucleus ultimately disintegrates, these pieces move apart rapidly and the neck snaps quickly, a process known as scission.
    — Charles Q. Choi, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2021
  • The structure is easily broken down in a reaction called scission (like scissors), which tears up the polymer chain.
    — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 5 Aug. 2020
Definition of scission
Noun
  • Kate divorced Jon, 48, in 2009 amid reports of infidelity surrounding her now ex-husband.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • Skratch also interviewed other sources for its story who alleged infidelity by Mickelson amid abrupt endings of memberships at other golf clubs.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of infidelity
Noun
  • But at the time, vernacular Bibles were associated with heresy.
    — Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
  • Its members celebrate the ancient Latin Mass and have accused the modern church of being rife with heresies and errors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
Definition of heresy
Noun
  • In the book, the Senator is a man — Paul Thurman — but Yost previously confirmed that the show makes significant deviations from the source material.
    — Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • The structural design curtails the necessity for active safety mechanisms, electronic trip switches, or manual operator control interventions during an operational deviation.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of deviation
Noun
  • The biggest misconception about the trade has been thinking George is washed as a player.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • Byrd shared the story behind her longtime misconception while speaking with Jess Rothschild in a bonus episode of Finding Fire Island.
    — Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Definition of misconception

Browse Nearby Words

apostasies
apostasy
apostate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apostasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostasy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on apostasy

Nglish: Translation of apostasy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apostasy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All