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

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
Know More Andrews wants the party to embrace term limits and renounce congressional stock trading and corporate contributions.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 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

For English readers, whose cultures and histories have largely been defined by the individual, Anedda’s more collective interpretation of an identity repudiates social definitions.

— Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of repudiate

Verb

Requests for heavy construction equipment, in particular, are often rejected; Israeli officials say Hamas fighters could use it to dig tunnels.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
The court rejected Kalshi’s broad interpretation of the Commodity Exchange Act and upheld an order allowing Nevada to enforce its gambling regulations against Kalshi’s sports event contracts.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of reject

Verb

Tyler told her the procession put a smile on everyone’s face, particularly when the grandmothers abandoned the usual petal-tossing technique and began throwing flowers at the guests instead.

— Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
The trade forced the UK to abandon its efforts to prop up the currency – and netted Soros more than a billion dollars.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of abandon

Verb

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
The popular king modernized the royal house but refused to follow in the footsteps of other aging monarchs who have abdicated in recent times.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 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

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 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of apostatize

verb

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