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, a deep ideological schism remains over what victory for the Islamic Republic should look like.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of schism
Noun
  • Indeed, Glaser’s defection to WME shocked many inside UTA’s Beverly Hills headquarters, three insiders say.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The standout performer is Yoane Wissa, who was signed after Isak’s defection last summer and then barely resembled a footballer.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 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
  • This interpretation was not universally popular—in fact, conservative elements in the Presbyterian Church threatened to put Fosdick on denominational trial for heresy.
    — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But at the time, vernacular Bibles were associated with heresy.
    — Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
Definition of heresy
Noun
  • Our extended winter weather forecasts emphasize temperature and precipitation deviations from averages, or normals.
    — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Procedures were defined, deviations were documented and outcomes could be traced back to how the work had been done.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of deviation
Noun
  • The Next Competitive Advantage One of the biggest misconceptions about enterprise AI is that lower AI spend equals better governance.
    — Prajkta Waditwar, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The need for respect James Sherrell, a program specialist at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, points to misconceptions around vaccine hesitancy as a classic example.
    — Cara Kelly, USA Today, 30 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on apostasy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apostasy

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