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
However, recent events (especially the Supreme Court’s decisions over the past several years and rising wealth inequality over decades) should make very clear that failing to vote invites backsliding.
—
Washington Post, 3 July 2024
In the few years prior, there was a spike in firms pledging to make diversity a top priority following certain events, but these numbers didn’t hold and continue to backslide.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024
For instance, Hungary, a country whose government was backsliding on democracy and the rule of law and becoming increasingly friendly to Russia, was excluded.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 20 May 2024
Despite backsliding with lower income shoppers and likely losing out to other retailers with physical stores, Amazon unsurprisingly captures the largest share of online-only BTS shoppers (34.4 percent).
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
See all Example Sentences for backslide 
Washington Post, 3 July 2024
In the few years prior, there was a spike in firms pledging to make diversity a top priority following certain events, but these numbers didn’t hold and continue to backslide.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024
For instance, Hungary, a country whose government was backsliding on democracy and the rule of law and becoming increasingly friendly to Russia, was excluded.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 20 May 2024
Despite backsliding with lower income shoppers and likely losing out to other retailers with physical stores, Amazon unsurprisingly captures the largest share of online-only BTS shoppers (34.4 percent).
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
See all Example Sentences for backslide
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backslide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Backslide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backslide. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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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