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

Far more Democrats renounced their party affiliation or switched to Republican than the other way around over the past two years.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
Rama attains liberation after renouncing the world, while Lakshmana’s violent actions lead him to hell before a spiritual ascent later.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of renounce

Verb

Yet many feel forsaken by authorities, with their communities marked by underinvestment and poverty.

— Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
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

Definition of forsake

Verb

The voters repudiated the president in every way, growing tired of his lies, corrupt administration, unqualified Cabinet members, tariffs, needless wars, ongoing inflation, and undignified and boorish behavior.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
More broadly, voters repudiated the AI industry's rapid expansion, with roughly two dozen proposals to restrict or block data centers appearing to pass among 41 local measures across 10 states, according to preliminary results.

— Spencer Kimball,Garrett Downs,Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of repudiate

Verb

California voters have twice rejected ballot measures to abolish the death penalty, first in 2012 and again in 2016, and Newsom’s decision overrides the will of the courts and state laws that permit capital punishment.

— Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Voters, in 2024, narrowly rejected a half-cent local sales tax measure that was estimated to generate about $19 million annually.

— Victoria Le, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of reject

Verb

On November 9 Germany became a republic, and Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 2026
Here, again, our disappearing Education Department abdicated its constitutional role to the governor and attorney general.

— David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of abdicate

Verb

When Lear disowns her, the King of France accepts Cordelia as his wife and takes her back to his homeland.

— Langdon Hammer, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
In Michigan, Mike Rogers has disowned the president’s tariffs, calling for an end to Trump’s trade war against Canada.

— Kate Andrews, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of disown

Verb

All of the tour’s other openers and Sheeran’s own backing band ended up quitting the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine.

— William Earl, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
The number of workers quitting jobs — a barometer of their confidence to obtain new employment — spiked to levels not seen since March 2025.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of quit

Browse Nearby Words

apostates

apostatize

apostatized

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“Apostatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostatize. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of apostatize

verb

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