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apostate

/əˈpɑsteɪt/
/əˈpɒsteɪt/
IPA guide

Other forms: apostates

An apostate is someone who has deserted his cause.

The word apostate originally comes from a Greek word that meant "runaway slave." Now, apostate has a religious or political tone to it, so someone might call you "a political apostate" if you ran for office as a Republican during one election and then ran as a Democrat in the following election.

Definitions of apostate
  1. adjective
    not faithful to religion or party or cause
    synonyms:
    unfaithful
    not true to duty or obligation or promises
  2. noun
    a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.
    see moresee less
    type of:
    quitter
    a person who gives up too easily
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