Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of abandoning a party or cause: "Apostasy" refers to the formal act of renouncing or withdrawing from a political party, organization, or a set of principles.
   • The state of having rejected one's religious beliefs or political allegiance: It describes the condition of having forsaken a former religious faith, political party, or cause, often to adopt opposing beliefs.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • His apostasy from the political party shocked his former colleagues. (This describes the act of leaving the party.)
  • After years of devotion, her apostasy left her family in disbelief. (This describes the state of having rejected her former religious beliefs.)

Advanced Usage

• "Intellectual apostasy": The act of renouncing a previously held intellectual doctrine or school of thought.
  • The philosopher's intellectual apostasy made him a controversial figure.
• "Accused of apostasy": A common phrase indicating someone is formally charged with abandoning their faith or party.
  • The writer was accused of apostasy for criticizing the regime's core ideology.

Variants and Related Words

• Apostate (noun): A person who commits apostasy; a renegade.
  • He was labeled an apostate by his former church.
• Apostatize (verb): To commit apostasy; to abandon one's beliefs.
  • Few expected him to apostatize after so many years of service.

Synonyms

• Defection: The desertion of one's country, cause, or party.
• Renunciation: The formal rejection of something, typically a belief, claim, or course of action.
• Heresy: Belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine, but often implies holding a dissenting belief rather than the of leaving.

Related Phrases

• "Charge of apostasy": The formal accusation of having abandoned one's faith or party.
  • He faced a charge of apostasy for his public statements.
• "Political apostasy": Specifically refers to the abandonment of a political party or ideology.
  • The senator's vote was seen as an act of political apostasy.

Noun

1. the act of abandoning a party for cause
2. the state of having rejected your religious beliefs or your political party or a cause (often in favor of opposing beliefs or causes)