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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of apostate
Bernard Haykel, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for apostate 
Noun
All the while, Islamist leaders throughout the Muslim world have vilified Riyadh as a U.S. lackey and an apostate regime.
—Bernard Haykel, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for apostate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apostate
Noun
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In 1782, they were tasked with apprehending Hessian deserters, earning a reward of two guineas for each one recovered, whether dead or alive.Kinsey Gidick, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
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Rachel knows that William is too good to be a deserter.Lincee Ray, EW.com, 30 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The Traitors season 3 cast portraits revealed (exclusive) With 21 contestants and a mysterious number of traitors among them, it's bound to be a rollicking good time.Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2024
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Advertisement The same applies to UCLA and USC, traitors who destroyed the Pac-12, and are now condemned to fighting for seventh place every year in the Big Ten.Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
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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What's New On Friday 170 House Republicans joined Democrats to approve an emergency funding bill just hours before a partial government shutdown was due to go into effect, despite President-elect Donald Trump's threat to oust any rebels.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
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As Assad regained control over much of the territory lost to the rebels, Syria slid further into poverty.Loubna Mrie, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
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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The country is now largely under the control of an insurgent group named Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS.Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
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Initially a religious movement focused on promoting Yemen's Zaidi Shiite Muslim community, Ansar Allah grew into a powerful insurgent group that captured large swathes of northern territory, including Sanaa, between late 2014 and early 2015.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Although a nontraditional holiday movie, some may make an exception for Step Brothers for its Christmas timeline and relatable themes many families experience during the season.Skyler Caruso, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
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Part of what makes Kinda Pregnant such a nontraditional romantic comedy is its emphasis on female friendships.Lauren Huff, EW.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The partition triggered mass migration and sectarian violence that killed hundreds of thousands of people, including Singh's grandfather.Sushmita Pathak, NPR, 26 Dec. 2024
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Fears fed by decades of sectarian propaganda won’t dissipate all at once, but the new government can help assuage them by holding rebel groups accountable and ensuring that justice is dispensed by lawmakers rather than by armed groups with scores to settle.Loubna Mrie, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near apostate
Cite this Entry
“Apostate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostate. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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