Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A falling back in principle or practice; a lapse in or abandonment of religious obligation; apostasy.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Slipping back; falling back into sin or error; sinning.
  • noun The act of one who backslides; abandonment of faith or duty.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of backslide.
  • adjective sliding back
  • noun An occasion on which one backslides, especially in a moral sense

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a failure to maintain a higher state

Etymologies

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Examples

  • "Given the context of the continuing repression in Tibet and an overall backsliding from the Chinese government on human rights, we hope that this time, there will be an indication that the Chinese side is interested in engaging in a results-based dialogue," said Mary Beth Markey of the International Campaign for Tibet.

    The Earth Times Online Newspaper 2010

  • That grant, I must tell you at once, has been "backsliding" -- so that despite small increases in some years, in terms of real dollars we are now at the level we were at in 1975, while the costs of our artists and arts groups have been rising substantially, not to mention their cost of living.

    Government and the Arts 1980

  • "apostate" (as the Hebrew for "backsliding" is better rendered); Judah, not as yet utterly apostate, but treacherous or faithless. also -- herself also, like Israel.

    Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

  • Matt’s backsliding is particularly strong today. iluvcapra Says:

    Matthew Yglesias » Primary Balance 2010

  • But given the context of the continuing repression in Tibet, and an overall backsliding from the Chinese government on human rights, we hope that this time there will be an indication that the Chinese side is interested in engaging in a results-based dialogue. "

    NewsBlaze.com Current News - Top Stories 2010

  • But given the context of the continuing repression in Tibet, and an overall backsliding from the Chinese government on human rights, we hope that this time there will be an indication that the Chinese side is interested in engaging in a results-based dialogue. "

    NewsBlaze.com Current News - Top Stories 2010

  • But given the context of the continuing repression in Tibet, and an overall backsliding from the Chinese government on human rights, we hope that this time there will be an indication that the Chinese side is interested in engaging in a results-based dialogue. "

    International Campaign for Tibet - ICT promotes human rights and democratic freedoms for the people of Tibet. 2010

  • I came to chapter determined to cleanse my bosom and ask penance, for my backsliding is the cause of our continued distresses.

    A Morbid Taste For Bones Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1977

  • 'This may be called backsliding,' our author confesses, and it _does_ seem rather a 'go-as - you-please' kind of method.

    Modern Mythology Andrew Lang 1878

  • These four stages are classified as backsliding, or Demonic Oppression.

    Yahoo! Answers: Latest Questions 2010

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