backslide

verb

back·​slide ˈbak-ˌslīd 

backslid ˈbak-ˌslid  ; 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

Examples of backslide in a Sentence

Smokers who quit often backslide within a year.

Recent Examples on the Web

This looks like backsliding for a region that was already struggling to meet its emissions targets. —Julius Cesar Trajano, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026

The new mayor promised to bridge the divide between the Bay Area’s business community and its working class in a lasting fashion, but now, some business leaders fear the city is backsliding. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026

However, there has been quite a bit of backsliding since then, as well as an elastic understanding of what defines a democracy. —Big Think, 14 Apr. 2026

Since 2022, the European Commission has withheld funds to Hungary over concerns about its democratic backsliding and judicial independence. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backslide

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

backslide

verb

back·​slide ˈbak-ˌslīd 

backslid -ˌslid  ; backslid or backslidden -ˌslid-ᵊn  ; backsliding -ˌslīd-iŋ 

1

: to go back to a less religious or less moral condition

2

: to go back to a worse condition

backslide noun

backslider

-ˌslīd-ər 

noun