Formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of a religion.
1
When Constantine made Christianity the religion of Rome the apostatizing processes were greatly accelerated.
2
Without openly apostatizing, they insisted on a measure of independence.
3
Therefore we ought not to refuse allegiance to a sovereign on account of his apostatizing from the faith.
4
Again, apostatizing persons are counted abhorrers of God (Zech 11:8).
5
"Editing a Greek play, writing a political pamphlet, and apostatizing at the proper moment."