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
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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
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of apostate
Erick Erickson, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 2026
The first such, that of John McCain, in September of 2018, felt like a meeting of the resistance, a clarion call to take up arms where the late senator, another Republican who turned apostate rather than submit to Trump, had left them on the field.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025
In Iran, Baha’is are considered to be apostates and face persecution, marked by extreme violence including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
As the developed north lectures this new generation of Latin American leaders to abide by neoliberal, democratic norms and isolating apostates, China and Russia are all too willing to provide an alternative.
—Christopher Sabatini, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for apostate
Noun
To tell Republicans this is to be an apostate.
—Erick Erickson, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 2026
The first such, that of John McCain, in September of 2018, felt like a meeting of the resistance, a clarion call to take up arms where the late senator, another Republican who turned apostate rather than submit to Trump, had left them on the field.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025
In Iran, Baha’is are considered to be apostates and face persecution, marked by extreme violence including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
As the developed north lectures this new generation of Latin American leaders to abide by neoliberal, democratic norms and isolating apostates, China and Russia are all too willing to provide an alternative.
—Christopher Sabatini, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for apostate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apostate
Noun
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And within his own country’s history, particularly, Dhont discovered the fates that met would-be deserters who were caught — brutal sentences often leading to death.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
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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,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In doing so, Din becomes a traitor to his bounty hunter guild, led by Greef Karga (Carl Weathers).—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
As a result, he was tried in absentia, declared a traitor and subjected to the state’s harshest penalties.—
Kimberly Nath,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Then there’s Schiaparelli’s approach to work, which was renegade, and highly collaborative.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
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Set 500 years in the future, Whedon's original series followed a renegade crew aboard the transport ship Serenity.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In March, Washington sanctioned Rwanda’s defense forces and several senior officials, accusing them of funding the M23 rebels who have taken over mineral-rich areas of eastern DR Congo.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
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Chance understands why some kids rebel.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Given that Pakistan is home to over 20 million Shia Muslims—the second largest cohort in the world after Iran—open warfare with the only nation with more would be schismatic internally.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
9 Apr. 2026
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Such was the case this past weekend, when tens of millions of fans keyed in on the denouement of the college basketball season at the expense of lesser spectacles such as spring football and one notoriously schismatic pro golf startup.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But even larger numbers of socially conservative white working-class voters in Wales, Scotland and northern England — the traditional bedrock of Labour’s support — switched to Reform, the insurgent party founded by Nigel Farage, the renowned Brexit campaigner.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
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According to the military, security forces launched an operation in the province’s district of Barkhan to rout out insurgents that Islamabad claims are backed by India.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Spanning 23 galleries across the museum’s three floors, this exhibition highlights how 30 contemporary artists use nontraditional materials and processes.—
Washington Post staff,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
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What’s more exciting to me is seeing a whole new subculture develop — all-cash shows at nontraditional venues, and releasing your own music offline.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
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The officials said Russia’s security services are now more brazen in their choice of targets, going after Russian activists and foreign supporters of Ukraine, in addition to the usual suspects like military defectors.—
Emma Burrows,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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There were a couple of unexpected Senate Republican defectors, people like Todd Young and Josh Holly, who voted to advance a resolution, one of these War Powers Resolutions to halt hostilities in Venezuela.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apostate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostate. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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