apostasy
definition
the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief
example
His sudden apostasy shocked his family, who had always believed in the strict teachings of their faith.
synonyms
defectionrenunciationdesertion
word origin — The word 'apostasy' comes from the Late Latin 'apostasia', which is derived from the Greek 'ἀποστασία' (apostasia), meaning 'defection, revolt', from 'ἀποστάτης' (apostates) meaning 'fugitive, rebel', from 'ἀποστᾶναι' (apostanai) meaning 'to stand away from'.