backslide

verb

back·​slide ˈbak-ˌslīd 

backslid ˈbak-ˌslid  ; backslid or backslidden ˈbak-ˌsli-dᵊn  ; backsliding ˈbak-ˌslī-diŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to lapse morally or in the practice of religion

2

: to revert to a worse condition : retrogress

backslide noun

backslider

ˈbak-ˌslī-dər 

noun

Examples of backslide in a Sentence

Smokers who quit often backslide within a year.

Recent Examples on the Web

In an era where technological advances are, once again, deployed to circumvent worker collective power; regulators and investors must use their power to prevent backsliding on progress. —Áine Clarke, Sourcing Journal, 18 Dec. 2024

The Revolution made a good showing of themselves just reaching the Champions Cup quarterfinals, but the congested schedule of two games a week caused the team to backslide in MLS competition. —Rich Thompson, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2024

Whereas our years-long love for the aesthetics of the 1990s just felt like nostalgia, the timing of the 2000s coming back post-election feels more like backsliding. —Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 25 Nov. 2024

Corporate giants and some countries are backsliding on their climate commitments — a worrying sign in a year that otherwise saw hopeful growth in renewables, Al Gore and his investment colleagues say in a new report from Generation Investment Management. —Andrew Freedman, Axios, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

backslide

verb

back·​slide ˈbak-ˌslīd 

backslid -ˌslid  ; backslid or backslidden -ˌslid-ᵊn  ; backsliding -ˌslīd-iŋ 

1

: to go back to a less religious or less moral condition

2

: to go back to a worse condition

backslide noun

backslider

-ˌslīd-ər 

noun