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
  • What follows are dozens of examples of how those whose names are familiar (or aren’t) and legendary (or infamous) for their actions while representing the state have been embraced (or renounced) by the rest of the country and beyond.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
  • Spiritually, His Holiness is an emanation, or tulku, of the bodhisattva Chenrezig, who renounced nirvana to help mankind.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
Definition of renounce
Verb
  • Ultimately, that comeback success was enough to get a show that the Emmys had previously forsaken back on their radar, cementing its return to form.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 July 2026
  • Anguished and alone, Nick is similarly cast away, seemingly cursed to spend the rest of his days forsaken in his hometown, now a foreign land.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Definition of forsake
Verb
  • In 2018, the court unequivocally repudiated its wartime decision that denigrated Japanese Americans.
    — Tom Campbell, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
  • Some of those decisions aligned with some unitary executive claims, but others directly repudiated them.
    — Graham G. Dodds, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
Definition of repudiate
Verb
  • Netanyahu had rejected any role in Gaza for the Palestinian Authority (without publicly endorsing an alternative).
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • Conversely, when a judge rejects a motion for an injunction, companies can move to complete a takeover deal quickly.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of reject
Verb
  • The boxing ring metaphor was largely abandoned once the competition began, even though there were more opportunities to mix baseball’s tradition of walkup music with fight sports’ swaggering walkouts.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026
  • Critics of the deal hope that the lawsuit will force Paramount to abandon its merger dreams altogether, though that seems hard to imagine, and would leave WBD in a weak position.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of abandon
Verb
  • Also in attendance were his parents, King Juan Carlos, who abdicated in 2014, and Queen Sophia.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
  • Aemond is not going to back down, and Aegon has already ditched his plan to abdicate.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of abdicate
Verb
  • Offensive chants have not always been drowned out or disowned in the UK, Europe and beyond.
    — Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Some Sox fans claimed to disown the team back then, and now are jumping back on the bandwagon.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
Definition of disown
Verb
  • John Healey quit his former post last month after accusing then-premier Keir Starmer of endangering Britain by not committing to spending 3% of GDP on defense by 2030.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 20 July 2026
  • After the 2023 complaint, Benton wasn’t interviewed by House leadership for an astounding three months, by which point the staffer had already quit her job, according to Tribune reporting.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 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 22 Jul. 2026.

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