Words / C2

uh-POST-ayt/əˈpɒsteɪt/

An apostate is a person who abandons a former belief, party, or cause (formal / often a hostile label): branded an apostate, an apostate from the movement. To recant (already in the dictionary) is to withdraw a stated belief — the verb cousin. A zealot (this batch) clings; an iconoclast (already in the dictionary) attacks sacred ideas. Naming an empty cell is a finding, not a defection.

Meaning

A person who abandons a former belief, party, or cause (formal / often hostile).

Examples

• “Do not treat the person who names the empty cell as an apostate from the brand.”
• “To recant is to withdraw a claim (already in C2). A zealot clings (this batch). An iconoclast breaks sacred ideas (already in C2). A dated correction can still be loyal to the methods. A smear that never fills the n is theatre. Write the number; leave the excommunication.”

Good to know

One who abandons a former faith. Everyday: defector / turncoat. Close verb: recant (already in C2). Contrast: zealot (this batch); iconoclast (already in C2). A finding is not a defection.

Near in meaning

defector, renegade, turncoat, deserter

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