# apostasy

> English word · Noun · IPA /əˈpɒ.stə.si/ · frequency rank #31,856

## Definitions
1. The renunciation of a belief or set of beliefs.
2. Specifically, the renunciation of one's religion or faith.

## Etymology
From Latin apostasia, from Ancient Greek ἀποστασία (apostasía, “defection, revolt”), from ἀφίστημι (aphístēmi, “I withdraw, revolt”), from ἀπό (apó, “from”) + ἵστημι (hístēmi, “I stand”).

## Easily confused with
- **apostate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/apostasy-vs-apostate)

## Common misspellings (12)
`aopstasy`, `aposatsy`, `aposstasy`, `apostassy`, `apostasyy`, `apostays`, `apostsay`, `aposttasy`, `apotsasy`, `appostasy`, `apsotasy`, `paostasy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/apostasy