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.
loyal / faithful
'treu' and 'abtrünnig' are clear opposites when it comes to loyalty. Someone who is 'treu' remains connected and reliable toward a person, group, or belief. Someone who becomes 'abtrünnig' turns away from a group, religion, or belief. 'abtrünnig' sounds stronger and more serious than simply 'not loyal', because it often suggests betrayal or a break with a community. For normal relationships, people usually say 'treu' or 'untreu'; 'abtrünnig' fits better with groups, parties, religions, or firm beliefs.
Einige Mitglieder wurden der Partei abtrünnig und gründeten eine neue Gruppe.
Some members turned away from the party and founded a new group.
Auch in schweren Zeiten blieb Maria ihren Freunden treu.
Even in difficult times, Maria remained loyal to her friends.