Apostate

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /əˈpɒs.teɪt/

Definitions

1. A person who rejects or forsakes their previous beliefs or affiliations, often in a religious or political context, demonstrating a significant shift away from those ideologies
2. An individual who has abandoned their former faith or loyalty, often resulting in a complete break from previous ideologies or doctrines
3. Someone who abandons or turns away from previously held beliefs or allegiances, especially related to religion or politics

Etymology: The Greek word "apostátēs" meant "rebel" or "one who stands away from," built from "aphístēmi," "to withdraw or revolt," which combines "apó" ("from") with "hístēmi" ("to stand"). The image is literal: a person who steps away from their post or position. Greek writers used it for political rebels and deserters before it acquired any religious sense. The word passed into Late Latin as "apostata," and from there into English. Its religious meaning, a person who abandons a faith they once held, became dominant, and that is the sense English kept. The Greek root survives in many English words built on "stand," such as "apostasy," the state or act of abandoning a belief.

Synonyms: renegade, defector, traitor, deserter, heretic

Antonyms: believer, follower, adherent, devotee, supporter