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

Yermolaiev has lived in the glitzy city state on the Mediterranean coast for several years, having left Ukraine and renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2019 to become a citizen of Cyprus.

— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
That starts with renouncing the use of military intervention as a first resort and ending the practice of diplomacy by airstrike.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of renounce

Verb

Over the years, questions about the evidence against Smith emerged as a witness recanted, Lowden repudiated his earlier statement implicating Smith, and another man claimed responsibility for Hart's killing.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of repudiate

Verb

Pakistan’s government rejected the allegations over the weekend, saying Khan was examined by doctors from the private hospital and that he could not be taken to Shifa International for security reasons.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Importantly, the jury's decision is advisory, meaning the ultimate decision rests with the judge, who can accept or reject the conclusions.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of reject

Verb

Wasserman Schultz’s decision to abdicate her former District, 25, which was split into five, and run in the adjacent deep-blue district, angered Black Democrats and frustrated party leadership.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
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

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

The Stones somehow didn’t hit South America until 1995, a couple years after Wyman quit the band.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Bannerman centers on the eponymous Paul Bannerman, a lethal covert operative who convinces a group of the world’s most deadly assassins to quit the spy game for a chance to lead normal lives in the suburbs of Connecticut.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Aug. 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 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of apostatize

verb

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