apostatize

verb

Definition of apostatizenext
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
  1. renounce
  2. forsake
  3. repudiate
  4. reject
  5. abandon
  6. abdicate
  7. disown
  8. quit
Verb
  • Their virality comes at a time when the very generation that inspired them has largely renounced the label.
    — Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026
  • In these photographs, the maternal body enters spaces designed around seduction, aspiration, and idealized femininity without renouncing any of them.
    — Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of renounce
Verb
  • Alicent’s forsaken him, and his betrothed has turned out to be a damned and ancient witch.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Not play-act, but do the real work, make the hard and noble choices, not forsake his vows but live by them.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of forsake
Verb
  • Those local leaders who came in as Democrats five, six, seven years ago wanted to make shoplifting okay, kept the schools closed too long, they got repudiated by voters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • That agreement soon unravelled with Trump making new conditions in public and the Saudis repudiating them.
    — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of repudiate
Verb
  • Ogunyemi rejects the notion that encouragement is merely a soft leadership practice that can’t be connected to measurable business outcomes.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Lucas was convicted of fatally shooting a 16-year-old girl who rejected his romantic advances and wounding two of her friends.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of reject
Verb
  • They have both been charged with four counts of abandoning or endangering a child.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Republicans think the fraud scandal, which led Walz to abandon his plans to run for a third term, gives them a rare opening to make inroads in an otherwise tough environment for the GOP.
    — Jonathan J. Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of abandon
Verb
  • Akihito, who abdicated in 2019, tried to bring what was seen as an aloof monarchy closer to the people, an example followed by his son, Naruhito, and his family.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • This is what the impeachment process was designed for, to remove public officials abdicating their responsibilities.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of abdicate
Verb
  • 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
  • The platforms that helped usher in the generative AI boom are now trying to clean up the mess without disowning the technology behind it.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of disown
Verb
  • Some children are quitting school and starting to work to help their families make ends meet.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In the 1980s, Hal quit being a Green Lantern, with John Stewart finally taking over.
    — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of quit

Browse Nearby Words

apostates
apostatize
apostatized
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Cite this Entry

“Apostatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostatize. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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