APOSTASY Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

apostasy

noun

Definition of apostasy

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 Lent is magnifying his apostasy like never before. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 This triggers a slippery slope toward apostasy — that is, de-prioritizing mindedness toward church vetted preoccupations. — Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026 Its roots are in publicly paying penance for serious sins or crimes in the eyes of the church, like adultery or apostasy, which means renouncing the church and its beliefs. — Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apostasy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apostasy

Noun

The book follows this story for the critical eight years between 1527 and 1535, which led to the enduring schism that created the Church of England.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026
But schisms and heel digging are probably inevitable in such uncertain fields, Catling says.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of schism

Noun

Subsequent journalistic and political events—a New York Times editorial, the first Democratic congressional defection, Nancy Pelosi’s television appearance, and George Clooney’s op-ed—repeatedly repriced the contract.

— Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Sensible Carl Laemmle kept above the fray and denied reports that Universal Pictures was considering a defection.

— Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of defection

Noun

Lich, who was tried and convicted in connection with the protests and is still under house arrest, has shifted her energies to Alberta separatism.

— Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
Pakistan must manage its sizeable Shiite population and its sensitive relationship with Tehran, while Turkey and Iran share concerns over Kurdish separatism despite competing elsewhere in the region.

— Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 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

Defense attorney Emily Smith argued the prosecution’s case lacked key evidence, including the murder weapon, and had little to stand on aside from his infidelity.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
By the end of Volume I, the court romance has devolved into a series of infidelities, both personal and political, which cause the corruption and destabilization of England’s fledgling democracy.

— Eileen Hunt, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of infidelity

Noun

The campaign has included an allegation of heresy This year’s race is unusual because of attacks from the Christian right branding Hamilton a heretic.

— John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
This interpretation was not universally popular—in fact, conservative elements in the Presbyterian Church threatened to put Fosdick on denominational trial for heresy.

— Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of heresy

Noun

Many proteins have significant regions where limited changes to their amino acid sequence are tolerable and other areas where even a slight deviation from the existing sequence inactivates the protein.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026
Bridge lifts usually happen on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the Transportation Department said, though there are a couple of deviations from that schedule this year to accommodate ongoing rehabilitation work on the 110-year-old Lake Street Bridge.

— Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of deviation

Browse Nearby Words

apostasies

apostasy

apostate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of apostasy

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on apostasy

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

discreet

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes