apostate / renegade
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apostate / renegade
Having disloyally left and turned away from one's own group, community, religion, or belief. Expresses betrayal or renunciation.
Der abtrünnige Spion verkaufte Staatsgeheimnisse an den Feind.
The renegade spy sold state secrets to the enemy.
The adjective is very often used with the verb 'werden' (to become) in a fixed construction: 'jemandem/etwas abtrünnig werden' (to become disloyal to someone/something; to defect from someone/something). The person or institution being betrayed is in the dative.
Er wurde seiner Partei abtrünnig und gründete eine neue Bewegung.
He defected from his party and founded a new movement.
When 'abtrünnig' (apostate/renegade) comes before a noun, it usually describes people who have left a group. Typical examples are 'ein abtrünniger Agent' (a renegade agent), 'ein abtrünniges Mitglied' (a renegade member), or 'ein abtrünniger Priester' (an apostate priest).
Das abtrünnige Mitglied wurde aus dem Verein ausgeschlossen.
The renegade member was expelled from the association.
'Abtrünnig' (apostate/renegade) is a formal word with a strong negative and moral judgment. It implies disloyalty or betrayal and is not a neutral description of leaving a group.
Die Königsfamilie betrachtete ihn als abtrünnig.
The royal family regarded him as a renegade.
unfaithful
Untreu generally describes a lack of loyalty toward a person, cause, or community. Abtrünnig is more specific and emphasizes that someone renounces and leaves their group or beliefs. Use untreu for a lack of loyalty, and abtrünnig for a clear turning away or separation.
Er wurde seinem Verein abtrünnig und verließ ihn nach dem Streit.
He turned against his club and left it after the dispute.
Er war seinem Verein untreu und unterstützte plötzlich dessen größten Gegner.
He was disloyal to his club and suddenly supported its biggest rival.
