apostasy

noun

Definition of apostasynext
as in schism

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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 apostasy For Pittsburghers, whose city had for so long been singularly defined by the production of steel, the idea that industrial competitiveness was not paramount bordered on apostasy. — Christopher Briem, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026 This Lent is magnifying his apostasy like never before. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 This triggers a slippery slope toward apostasy — that is, de-prioritizing mindedness toward church vetted preoccupations. — Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026 Its roots are in publicly paying penance for serious sins or crimes in the eyes of the church, like adultery or apostasy, which means renouncing the church and its beliefs. — Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apostasy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apostasy
  1. schism
  2. defection
  3. separatism
  4. scission
  5. infidelity
  6. heresy
  7. deviation
  8. misconception
Noun
  • Yet since she was rescued in bad shape in mid-July and transferred to the Ojai Raptor Center for treatment, schisms have formed.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The lasting schism among religious groups would ultimately be linked to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (1948) and that of Indira Gandhi (1984).
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of schism
Noun
  • Cheng insists her defection had nothing to do with sour grapes, but a Damascene realization.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
  • If James’ defection seems destined to peel casual NBA viewers away from the Lake Show, the subsequent heightened interest for the teams repping the I-95 megalopolis should go a long way toward helping shore up the league’s national deliveries.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of defection
Noun
  • Pakistan must manage its sizeable Shiite population and its sensitive relationship with Tehran, while Turkey and Iran share concerns over Kurdish separatism despite competing elsewhere in the region.
    — Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • China has long accused the Dalai Lama of promoting separatism.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of separatism
Noun
  • When the nucleus ultimately disintegrates, these pieces move apart rapidly and the neck snaps quickly, a process known as scission.
    — Charles Q. Choi, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2021
  • The structure is easily broken down in a reaction called scission (like scissors), which tears up the polymer chain.
    — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 5 Aug. 2020
Definition of scission
Noun
  • Decades later, the first couple of rock and roll briefly split in 2016 after rumors of infidelity, but reconciled shortly thereafter.
    — Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Gripped by a paralyzing fear for the fate of her future children, Naama returns to the same monument where the infidelity took place; there, her parents appear before her.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of infidelity
Noun
  • But at the time, vernacular Bibles were associated with heresy.
    — Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
  • Its members celebrate the ancient Latin Mass and have accused the modern church of being rife with heresies and errors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
Definition of heresy
Noun
  • Genetic deviations that impair the processing of alcohol turn out to be associated with lower rates of alcoholism.
    — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The price of call options betting on a one standard-deviation move – contracts with a roughly 16% chance of making money – are in the 70th percentile of the past year, according to Nations Indexes data.
    — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of deviation
Noun
  • Overhead Watering There is a misconception that the whole plant needs to be watered.
    — Lauren David, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a common misconception that community college is somehow a lesser path.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of misconception

Browse Nearby Words

apostasies
apostasy
apostate
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Cite this Entry

“Apostasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostasy. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on apostasy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apostasy

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