noun
- people who return to bad habits or abandon their religious faith or moral principles after a period of improvement
Usage: often used in religious contexts
Examples
- The pastor was concerned about the backsliders in his congregation.
- Many former smokers become backsliders during stressful periods.
- The support group helped prevent backsliders from returning to addiction.
- Church leaders organized special sessions for backsliders seeking to return.
- Some backsliders eventually find their way back to their original beliefs.
- The program had a low rate of backsliders compared to other treatments.