Apostasy
WordNet
noun
(1) The act of abandoning a party or 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)
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From < < < +
Noun
- The renunciation of a belief or set of beliefs.
- 1871, James Anthony Froude, History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Death of Elizabeth, page 394
- The King of Navarre suddenly abandoned his party and went over to the Catholics.
- The explanation of his apostasy was as simple as it was base : Navarre had no confidence in the success of his cause, and he cared little in his heart for anything but women and vanity.
- 1871, James Anthony Froude, History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Death of Elizabeth, page 394
- Specifically, the renunciation of one's religion or faith.
Synonyms
- (renunciation of religion or faith): backsliding, conversion, deconversion
- (renunciation of a set of beliefs): defection, disaffection, estrangement