backslide
verb
back·slide
ˈbak-ˌslīd 
backslid
ˈbak-ˌslid
; backslid or backslidden
ˈbak-ˌsli-dᵊn
; backsliding
ˈbak-ˌslī-diŋ
; backslid or backslidden
ˈbak-ˌsli-dᵊn
; backsliding
ˈbak-ˌslī-diŋ
1
: to lapse morally or in the practice of religion
2
: to revert to a worse condition : retrogress
backslide
noun
Examples of backslide in a Sentence
Smokers who quit often backslide within a year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Could the Eastern European nation again start backsliding away from democracy?
—
Malcolm Gladwell, New Yorker, 3 June 2025
Minnesota went 13-4 in coach Kevin O’Connell’s first season before backsliding to 7-10 in 2023.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The announcement comes as nations are backsliding from funding global health.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2025
Sometimes good hitters can backslide, but both of them could heat up as the season progresses.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backslide
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Malcolm Gladwell, New Yorker, 3 June 2025
Minnesota went 13-4 in coach Kevin O’Connell’s first season before backsliding to 7-10 in 2023.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The announcement comes as nations are backsliding from funding global health.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2025
Sometimes good hitters can backslide, but both of them could heat up as the season progresses.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backslide
Cite this Entry
“Backslide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backslide. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backslide
verb
back·slide
ˈbak-ˌslīd
1
: to go back to a less religious or less moral condition
2
: to go back to a worse condition
backslide
noun
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