1
as in deserter
a person who abandons a cause or organization usually without right
an apostate from communism, he later became one of its harshest critics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in traitor
one who betrays a trust or an allegiance
became an apostate to liberalism after he had gotten wealthy
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in renegade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 apostate
Andrew L. Peek, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2016
Liz Cheney, the former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming and an ardent conservative, is an apostate for modern times.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2023
The latter — driven by an apocalyptic, millenarian creed — had embarked on a frenzy of killing, torture, grisly execution and abductions of civilians from communities of supposed apostates and enemies.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
Moribund groups have sputtered to life, former brothers-in-arms have declared one another apostates, and erstwhile hunters of jihadists have joined their ranks.
—Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
See All Example Sentences for apostate
Noun
If the conflict in Syria is a religious war against apostates rather than a geopolitical scuffle, more militants will be drawn toward the conflict and away from the crown.
—Andrew L. Peek, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2016
Liz Cheney, the former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming and an ardent conservative, is an apostate for modern times.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2023
The latter — driven by an apocalyptic, millenarian creed — had embarked on a frenzy of killing, torture, grisly execution and abductions of civilians from communities of supposed apostates and enemies.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
Moribund groups have sputtered to life, former brothers-in-arms have declared one another apostates, and erstwhile hunters of jihadists have joined their ranks.
—Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
See All Example Sentences for apostate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apostate
Noun
-
The love story of a Confederate deserter (Jude Law) journeying back to his North Carolina home and his love (Nicole Kidman) drives the Civil War drama.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The deserters were typically shot simultaneously by three or more fellow soldiers — one of whom might have been issued blanks, rather than live rounds, as was the case in the 2010 Utah execution — to blur the lines of responsibility for the death.—
Jacey Fortin,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
At the start of the finale, original traitor Reyes had just been banished at the roundtable.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Reyes has been a traitor since the season premiere, while Haynes is new recruit.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Looking like something between an expert diamond dealer and a crack sniper for some renegade sci-fi army, the internet’s new favourite Olympian, South Korean pistol shooter Kim Yeji, is one of the Paris Games’ most notable stars so far.—
Nick Miller,
The Athletic,
1 Aug. 2024
-
But a deadly encounter with renegade Claude Dallas (Teller) shatters his reality and propels him into a relentless questfor vengeance — one that blurs the line between justice and obsession.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
On the battlefield, the nobles’ cavalry and superior artillery brutally cut down the rebels.—
Michael Bruening,
The Conversation,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The rebels on Friday also claimed to have seized a second airport in the region, in the town of Kavumu outside Bukavu.—
JUSTIN KABUMBA,
arkansasonline.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The potential members of a schismatic Catholic sect are located in areas of the world such as the United States, where the church has significant financial resources and assets, plus a wide array of independent Catholic institutions that operate largely outside the hierarchy of the church.—
Massimo Faggioli,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Oct. 2018
-
But Barzani’s setback only birthed a schismatic new cadre of Kurdish leaders.—
Behnam Ben Taleblu,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Nov. 2017
Noun
-
In recent years, the PKK has been limited to isolated attacks inside Turkey as the Turkish military, backed by armed drones, has pushed PKK insurgents increasingly across the mountainous border into Iraq.—
Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports,
arkansasonline.com,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Elected by surprise in 2018, Ocasio-Cortez was a progressive insurgent, a democratic socialist, a frequent critic of her own party, and a social media sensation.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Known for its nontraditional approach to Japanese cuisine, the upscale Uchi was at the forefront of Wynwood’s ongoing shift from taco and pizza joints and craft beer bars to focusing on upscale restaurants.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Other celebrities who have been open about having multiple partners and nontraditional relationships include Nick Cannon, Janelle Monáe, Joey Bada$$, Will Smith, and more.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Lives lived: Zakia Jafri, who waged a decades-long legal battle against government officials in India after her husband was killed during sectarian riots, died at 86.—
Natasha Frost,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
-
An uncle was among those displaced by the sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians, trekking hundreds of miles through deserts and war zones to the safety of the sprawling Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apostate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share