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
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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
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Examples Sentences
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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
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According to some reports, defectors and deserters have been burned or frozen to death in Iraq.—
Mara R. Revkin,
Foreign Affairs,
1 May 2016
-
Go way back to President Lincoln, who made hard decisions himself about deserters from the Army, things like that.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Dorinda Medley couldn't identify the traitors—or a few of her fellow faithfuls—on the latest season of The Traitors.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
16 Jan. 2025
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The number in the castle was therefore whittled down to the standard 22, with three then selected as traitors by host Claudia Winkleman.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Demand for exorcisms boomed in the wake of the film, along with a crop of renegade priests willing to perform the ritual without the Church's approval.—
Katie Rife,
EW.com,
13 Oct. 2024
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Despite his accomplishments and acclaim, a renegade speculator like Kauffman, without a background in physics or a bridge discipline, faces even more hurdles.—
Andréa Morris,
Forbes,
9 Oct. 2024
Noun
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However, the rebels continue to launch attacks aimed at Israel, which has vowed to retaliate against Houthi leadership in the event of further aggression.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
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The four female protagonists in Nails rebel against society’s expectations of them with consequences for themselves and family and friends.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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But Barzani’s setback only birthed a schismatic new cadre of Kurdish leaders.—
Behnam Ben Taleblu,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Nov. 2017
Noun
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In Myanmar, where the government regards any aid entering conflict zones as support for insurgents, that can mean international groups operate almost clandestinely to get lifesaving provisions to the local groups that can distribute them.—
Karl Vick,
TIME,
16 Jan. 2025
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While the military did not disclose details about the individuals killed, Balochistan has long been a hotspot for insurgent activity.—
John Mac Ghlionn,
Newsweek,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As winters get warmer, the conditions for tornadoes to form increase, leading to more during nontraditional tornado months.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
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Structuring nontraditional assets through trusts or other legal mechanisms can preserve them and maintain their long-term impact.—
Anushree Jain,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Despite many challenges like reducing oil dependency, ensuring political stability amid sectarian divides and managing environmental crises, the Sudani government must focus on protecting the state.—
James Durso,
The Hill,
16 Jan. 2025
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Armed Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims have engaged in tribal and sectarian rivalry for decades over a land dispute in Kurram district near the Afghanistan border.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
24 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near apostate
Cite this Entry
“Apostate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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