'apostatize' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'apostatizare', where 'apo-' meant 'away from' and 'stasis' (via Latin/Greek formation) meant 'standing' or 'a standing apart'.

'apostatize' changed from Medieval/Church Latin word 'apostatizare', which came via Late Latin from Greek 'apostasia' (ἀποστασία), and eventually became the modern English word 'apostatize'.

Initially it meant 'a standing apart' or 'defection', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to renounce or abandon a religious or political belief'.