apostatize

verb

Definition of apostatizenext
as in to renounce

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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 apostatize The conundrum is one that has nothing to do with Rodrigues’ decision whether to lay down his life, but with his reluctance to apostatize, even in the face of others’ deaths. — Michael O'Sullivan, The Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2017 In one of the more powerful sequences, three older men are hung from crosses positioned deep in the ocean’s waters — the thrashing waves killing them slowly for their refusal to apostatize. — Lindsey Bahr, Orange County Register, 6 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apostatize
  1. renounce
  2. forsake
  3. repudiate
  4. reject
  5. abandon
  6. abdicate
  7. disown
  8. quit
Verb
  • Advertisement Several branches of the Japanese imperial family renounced their royal status in 1947 to cut down on costs the monarchy incurred after the war.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The plan is to find candidates from families that renounced their royal status in 1947, which at the time was to ease the postwar financial burden on the monarchy.
    — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of renounce
Verb
  • Thoroughly unimpressed by her suburban idyll, and evidently unmoved by her responsibilities as wife and mother, Denise labors in her basement on a novel whose protagonist wishes to forsake her family for a life in New York.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Alicent’s forsaken him, and his betrothed has turned out to be a damned and ancient witch.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of forsake
Verb
  • El-Sayed has since disavowed Piker’s controversial statements and ended plans for joint campaigning, but has not categorically repudiated him nor apologized for appearing with him.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The reflex to regard America’s earlier representational and nationalist traditions as something to be repudiated, rather than reconsidered, is learned — not inevitable.
    — Frank Porcu, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of repudiate
Verb
  • But right-wing parties that would need to be part of his coalition could reject that option.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Human Rights Watch said those expulsions amounted to war crimes, a charge that Israel rejects.
    — Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of reject
Verb
  • But big pharmaceutical companies have largely abandoned the quest for new antibiotics, because the research and development needed to discover them is time-consuming and expensive.
    — Zoë Schiffer, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • They are joined by other Democrats who have spent years trying to push the party to abandon its more cautious approach to governing, and could now get their chance.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of abandon
Verb
  • Naruhito assumed the duties of emperor, a position with ceremonial roles but no political power, after his father Akihito abdicated earlier in the year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • After both sisters had abdicated planning the memorial, logistical matters—the casket and its transport, the readings, and, yes, the flowers—had fallen to the front desk volunteer of a church my grandmother no longer attended.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of abdicate
Verb
  • Her solution is to disown Brooke, should the memoir ever see the light of day.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Kwong Kau came to disown Choi and allegedly tried to assault her on one occasion, Draycott said.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of disown
Verb
  • Continue reading ⦠CIVIC BREAKDOWN â Town's entire police force quits after bitter feud with city leaders boils over.
    — , FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • After taking on their third client, Bordelon and Slocum quit their jobs to focus on The Brownstone Boys full-time.
    — Sophie Caldwell,Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of quit

Browse Nearby Words

apostates
apostatize
apostatized
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Cite this Entry

“Apostatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostatize. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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