backslider
/bækˈslaɪdər/
NOUN
1. A person who abandons religious faith or returns to sinful behavior
A person who turns away from religious beliefs or practices, or returns to morally or spiritually undesirable behavior after previously following a religious or moral path.
1.1. Abandoning religious faith or beliefs
A person who abandons, rejects, or turns away from previously held religious beliefs, faith, or religious commitments.
Synonyms
- apostate
- defector
- renegade
- deserter
- heretic
- dissenter
- turncoat
Antonyms
Examples
- As a preacher, he was deeply concerned about the spiritual well-being of every backslider in his congregation.
- The church congregation was concerned about the spiritual well-being of the backslider who had stopped attending services.
Related Words
- abandoner
- forsaker
- schismatic
- recreant
- recusant
1.2. Returning to sinful or immoral behavior
A person who returns to undesirable, sinful, or morally unacceptable conduct after a period of improvement or commitment to better behavior.
Synonyms
- relapser
- recidivist
- sinner
- transgressor
- reprobate
- degenerate
Antonyms
Examples
- Backslider beware! Once you start down that path, it's hard to regain your footing.
- The community rallied around the backslider, offering support and guidance to help them find their way back.
Related Words
- miscreant
- wrongdoer
- delinquent
- debauchee
- profligate
NOUN
2. A person who betrays loyalty or abandons an obligation
A person who deserts a cause, breaks a commitment, betrays someone, or abandons responsibilities or affiliations.
2.1. Betraying trust or loyalty
A person who betrays the trust of others, abandons an alliance, or acts disloyally toward someone or a group.
Synonyms
- traitor
- betrayer
- turncoat
- back-stabber
- double-crosser
- Judas
- snake
- two-face
Antonyms
Examples
- His reputation as a backslider preceded him, making it difficult to regain the trust of those he had disappointed.
Related Words
2.2. Deserting a cause or responsibility
A person who abandons a duty, position, organization, or commitment, particularly by leaving without fulfilling an obligation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- adherent
- follower
- loyalist
Related Words
- escapee
- runaway
- fugitive
- no-show
- dropout