APOSTATIZE Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

apostatize

verb

Definition of apostatize

as in to renounce

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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 apostatize The conundrum is one that has nothing to do with Rodrigues’ decision whether to lay down his life, but with his reluctance to apostatize, even in the face of others’ deaths. — Michael O'Sullivan, The Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2017 In one of the more powerful sequences, three older men are hung from crosses positioned deep in the ocean’s waters — the thrashing waves killing them slowly for their refusal to apostatize. — Lindsey Bahr, Orange County Register, 6 Jan. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apostatize

Verb

China claims Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, as its own breakaway province and hasn’t renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
If Vance were to renounce Carlson over a matter as trivial as, say, Carlson’s oddly positive assessment of Adolf Hitler, what hope is there for society?

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of renounce

Verb

Thoroughly unimpressed by her suburban idyll, and evidently unmoved by her responsibilities as wife and mother, Denise labors in her basement on a novel whose protagonist wishes to forsake her family for a life in New York.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
Alicent’s forsaken him, and his betrothed has turned out to be a damned and ancient witch.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of forsake

Verb

El-Sayed has since disavowed Piker’s controversial statements and ended plans for joint campaigning, but has not categorically repudiated him nor apologized for appearing with him.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
The reflex to regard America’s earlier representational and nationalist traditions as something to be repudiated, rather than reconsidered, is learned — not inevitable.

— Frank Porcu, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of repudiate

Verb

The county urged the Supreme Court to reject the administration's appeal, while the state of Texas submitted its own brief defending the database.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
Notably, one person, without explanation, rejected the invitation to testify, though their statement to law enforcement was also considered.

— Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of reject

Verb

The poem is about this tendency toward earth, the temptation—the closest thing to bliss in these poems—to abandon yourself to the funk of the soil and the heat of the sun.

— Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Hnin Aye abandoned her plan to fly to Singapore and opted to cross the border illegally into Thailand.

— Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of abandon

Verb

Few performers have ever been so naturally gifted at the pop-star pose, yet few have abdicated the gig so fast.

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
The former sovereign, 86, who abdicated the throne in 2024, was instead represented by her son and successor, King Frederik, his wife, Queen Mary, his son and heir, Crown Prince Christian, and Queen Margrethe’s younger sister, Princess Benedikte.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of abdicate

Verb

The album was such a notorious disappointment that even Bowie himself would later disown it.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
Hong Kong's stablecoin licensing further illustrates this, approving only HKD tokens while publicly disowning any CNH stablecoin claims.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of disown

Verb

Shortly after Macklemore’s dismissal, the remaining supporting acts for Sheeran’s tour, including Grammy winner Finneas and folk band Beoga (Sheeran’s backing band), quit the Loop tour in solidarity.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
The other supporting acts on Sheeran’s tour quit in solidarity with Macklemore.

— Brie Stimson , Kelley Kramer, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of quit

Browse Nearby Words

apostates

apostatize

apostatized

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Apostatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostatize. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of apostatize

verb

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