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 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
noun 
Example Sentences
Smokers who quit often backslide within a year.
Recent Examples on the Web The temptation to backslide can be strong — and must be guarded against. 
Pratap Khedkar, STAT, 28 July 2022 There is no reason to believe VW will backslide on its EV strategy just because that the man most identified with the strategy has been sacked. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 25 July 2022 But experts worry health systems may backslide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 12 July 2022 But the Cardinals look like a good bet to backslide. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2022 Carlson, of course, has said next to nothing about the autocratic character of Orban’s rule, which critics on both sides of the Atlantic cast as a cautionary tale of how democracies backslide. Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2021 Until proven otherwise, expect the Panthers’ offense to backslide and struggle without McCaffrey as its workhorse. New York Times, 30 Sep. 2021 But when that federal oversight ended, the plaintiffs said the department began to backslide. Washington Post, 20 July 2021 Kreider worries wellness progress might backslide this summer. Washington Post, 22 June 2021 See More
Pratap Khedkar, STAT, 28 July 2022 There is no reason to believe VW will backslide on its EV strategy just because that the man most identified with the strategy has been sacked. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 25 July 2022 But experts worry health systems may backslide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 12 July 2022 But the Cardinals look like a good bet to backslide. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2022 Carlson, of course, has said next to nothing about the autocratic character of Orban’s rule, which critics on both sides of the Atlantic cast as a cautionary tale of how democracies backslide. Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2021 Until proven otherwise, expect the Panthers’ offense to backslide and struggle without McCaffrey as its workhorse. New York Times, 30 Sep. 2021 But when that federal oversight ended, the plaintiffs said the department began to backslide. Washington Post, 20 July 2021 Kreider worries wellness progress might backslide this summer. Washington Post, 22 June 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1
backslides 1 of 2
noun
as in relapses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- relapses
- retrogressions
- regressions
- lapses
- reversions
- returns
- atavisms
- degenerations
- declines
- nondevelopments
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- progressions
- developments
- evolutions
- advancements
- gestations
- growths
- maturations
backslides
2 of 2verb
as in lapses
Synonyms & Similar Words
- relapses
- lapses
- regresses
- reverts
- returns
- retrogresses
- declines
- falls
- ebbs
- degenerates
- worsens
- throws back
- retrogrades
- drops
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- progresses
- advances
- develops
- grows
- evolves
- matures
- ripens