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
Points were awarded for meeting the goal and were taken away for backsliding.
—
Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 5 Aug. 2024
Recent months have already shown some backsliding into dryness, in part because record-smashing heat has been sapping moisture from the air and landscape.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2024
On Wednesday, Phil Scott, Vermont's governor, said the latest round of flooding caused recovery efforts to backslide.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2024
In Asia, Biden has bent over backward to woo a backsliding India, a communist Vietnam, and other not so liberal states.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for backslide 
Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 5 Aug. 2024
Recent months have already shown some backsliding into dryness, in part because record-smashing heat has been sapping moisture from the air and landscape.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2024
On Wednesday, Phil Scott, Vermont's governor, said the latest round of flooding caused recovery efforts to backslide.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2024
In Asia, Biden has bent over backward to woo a backsliding India, a communist Vietnam, and other not so liberal states.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
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 12 Sep. 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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