backsliding

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of backslide

comparative more backsliding · superlative most backsliding

1. sliding back

plural backslidings

1. An occasion on which one backslides, especially in a moral sense.

   democratic backsliding

   5 more examples

   If their actions are bad, look back and inquire into the cause of their backslidings.

   1851, Harvey Newcomb, A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females

   All their struggles, disappointments, failures, backslidings, which made them unhappy here, because they could not perfectly do the will of God, are past and over for ever.

   1906, Charles Kingsley, Out of the Deep

   We have had many stumblings and many backslidings.

   1918, Walter Raleigh, England and the War

   Its tasks is the elimination of all forms of treachery and back-sliding with the various branches of the Soviet Secret Service and Secret Police at home and abroad.

   1953, Ian Fleming, “Dossier for M”, in Casino Royale, London: Pan Books, published 1955, page 21

   That is why any backsliding – disappearing to the toilet at last orders; ordering crazily expensive drinks on other people’s rounds; abruptly leaving after two pints – is sacrilege.

   2018 June 6, Tony Naylor, “The new rules of pub etiquette: don't flirt with bar staff or steal the glasses”, in The Guardian, →ISSN