backsliding Definition
- 1the act of reverting to bad habits or sinful ways
- 2a lapse into previous, inferior, or undesirable patterns of behavior, especially a lapse in religious devotion
Using backsliding: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "backsliding" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
After quitting smoking for a year, his backsliding led him to start again.
Example
The pastor's sermon warned against the dangers of backsliding in one's faith.
Example
Her backsliding into drug use was a cause for concern among her friends and family.
backsliding Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for backsliding
- relapse
- regression
- retrogression
- reversion
- falling back
Antonyms for backsliding
Idioms Using backsliding
Example
Without proper treatment, it's easy to slide back into addiction.
Example
After six months of sobriety, he fell off the wagon and started drinking again.
Example
The company's profits went down the tubes after the CEO's resignation.
Phrases with backsliding
a decline in religious devotion or practice
Example
The church offered support groups for those struggling with spiritual backsliding.
a reversal of democratic progress or a decline in political freedoms
Example
The country's political backsliding was a cause for concern among human rights organizations.
a decline in economic growth or stability
Example
The government's policies led to economic backsliding and rising unemployment rates.
Origins of backsliding
from 'backslide', meaning 'to slide back'
Summary: backsliding in Brief
'Backsliding' [ˈbækslaɪdɪŋ] refers to the act of reverting to bad habits or undesirable patterns of behavior, such as drug use or smoking. It can also refer to a decline in religious devotion or political freedoms. Phrases like 'slide back into' and 'fall off the wagon' denote returning to negative states, while 'go down the tubes' implies rapid decline.
