APOSTASY Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

apostasy

noun

Definition of apostasy

as in schism

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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

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

Zvyagintsev’s story, like Chabrol’s, imagines the tragic fallout of a husband discovering his wife’s infidelity.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
His relationship with his wife (Anna Faris) and kids is disintegrating and a National Enquirer journo keeps threatening to run an exposé of his infidelities.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 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

Astronomers measure these changes in brightness and can use that small deviation to infer that a planet is there.

— Thomas Fauchez, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
This configuration is designed to remain operational despite manufacturing deviations and wear that develops during extended operation.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of deviation

Noun

He’s best known as the creator and star of the show Adam Ruins Everything — debunking cultural myths and other prevalent misconceptions — which ran for three seasons on TruTV.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Growth Without Compromise There’s a misconception that wholesale growth always comes at the expense of brand control.

— Advertorial, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of misconception

Browse Nearby Words

apostasies

apostasy

apostate

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“Apostasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostasy. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of apostasy

noun

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