backsliding Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a failure to maintain a higher state
    relapsing; relapse; reversion; lapse; reverting; lapsing.
  2. verb drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards
    lapse; backslide.

WordNet

Back"slid"ing adjective
Definitions
  1. Slipping back; falling back into sin or error; sinning.
    Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord. Jer. iii. 14.
Back"slid"ing noun
Definitions
  1. The act of one who backslides; abandonment of faith or duty.
    Our backslidings are many. Jer. xiv. 7.

Webster 1913