turncoat

noun

turn·​coat ˈtərn-ˌkōt How to pronounce turncoat (audio)
: one who switches to an opposing side or party
specifically : traitor

Examples of turncoat in a Sentence

the plot of the story revolved around the gangster's relentless determination to learn the identity of the turncoat
Recent Examples on the Web Every member expelled in history of this institution has been convicted of crimes or confederate turncoats guilty of treason. ABC News, 3 Dec. 2023 The Jalisco cartel, known by its initials as the CJNG, is famous for its ruthless treatment of supposed traitors, informants or turncoats. Mark Stevenson, Anchorage Daily News, 7 June 2023 Hanssen faced the death penalty when he was arrested thanks to another turncoat. Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 5 June 2023 There’s a turncoat in MI6 who’s out to expose the Charter. Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 11 Aug. 2023 Advertisement In the severity of his betrayal, Mr. Hanssen was compared to Aldrich H. Ames, the CIA turncoat who pleaded guilty to espionage and other charges in 1994. Adam Bernstein, Washington Post, 5 June 2023 Revelations of a possible turncoat inside the country’s spy service have coincided with a major political shift in Germany since Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, with the German government dropping its long-standing conciliatory policy toward Moscow. Marie Brockling, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2023 Will there be a turncoat—Mark Meadows, perhaps?—to provide revelations from inside Trump’s fevered quest to stay in office after the voters had spoken? Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 20 July 2023 During the 1990-91 Gulf War, his character was repackaged as Iraqi sympathizer Col. Mustafa and teamed with the American turncoat Sgt. Rhett Bartlett, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'turncoat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of turncoat was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near turncoat

Cite this Entry

“Turncoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turncoat. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

turncoat

noun
turn·​coat ˈtərn-ˌkōt How to pronounce turncoat (audio)
: a person on one side who goes over to the other

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