backslide

verb

back·​slide ˈbak-ˌslīd How to pronounce backslide (audio)
backslid ˈbak-ˌslid How to pronounce backslide (audio) ; backslid or backslidden ˈbak-ˌsli-dᵊn How to pronounce backslide (audio) ; backsliding ˈbak-ˌslī-diŋ How to pronounce backslide (audio)
Synonyms of backslidenext

intransitive verb

1
: to lapse morally or in the practice of religion
2
: to revert to a worse condition : retrogress
backslide noun
backslider
ˈbak-ˌslī-dər How to pronounce backslide (audio)
noun

Examples of backslide in a Sentence

Smokers who quit often backslide within a year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Venus, the planet of joy, art, and pleasure, is backsliding in Aries and Pisces from March 1st to April 12th. — Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 27 Feb. 2025 Embed social progress into their business models so that backsliding becomes impossible. — Paul Klein, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 Activists anxiously await air monitors, hope Chicago isn’t backsliding on pollution promises Chicago is building what climate scientists say could be the country’s best system for monitoring tailpipe pollution from diesel trucks. — Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025 In recent years, however, with backsliding immunization rates, health officials are starting to see the effects of skipping shots. — Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for backslide

Word History

First Known Use

1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of backslide was in 1554

Rhymes for backslide

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Cite this Entry

“Backslide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backslide. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

backslide

verb
back·​slide ˈbak-ˌslīd How to pronounce backslide (audio)
backslid -ˌslid How to pronounce backslide (audio) ; backslid or backslidden -ˌslid-ᵊn How to pronounce backslide (audio) ; backsliding -ˌslīd-iŋ How to pronounce backslide (audio)
1
: to go back to a less religious or less moral condition
2
: to go back to a worse condition
backslide noun
backslider
-ˌslīd-ər How to pronounce backslide (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on backslide

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for backslide

Nglish: Translation of backslide for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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