Definition of disloyalnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word disloyal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of disloyal are faithless, false, perfidious, traitorous, and treacherous. While all these words mean "untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance," disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country.

disloyal to their country

Where would faithless be a reasonable alternative to disloyal?

The words faithless and disloyal can be used in similar contexts, but faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty.

faithless allies

When would false be a good substitute for disloyal?

Although the words false and disloyal have much in common, false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery.

betrayed by false friends

How are the words perfidious and faithless related as synonyms of disloyal?

Perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability.

a perfidious double-crosser

When is it sensible to use traitorous instead of disloyal?

In some situations, the words traitorous and disloyal are roughly equivalent. However, traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust.

traitorous acts punishable by death

When might treacherous be a better fit than disloyal?

The words treacherous and disloyal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.

a treacherous adviser

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disloyal The result marks another trophy for the president’s collection in his ongoing bid to oust Republicans perceived as disloyal to him. Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 17 May 2026 Aspden did not see himself as disloyal to Philadelphia. Kimberly Nath, The Conversation, 7 May 2026 That disloyal, greedy kid at the center of college football’s first apparent holdout? Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 The group includes both individuals accused of being disloyal and their dependents. Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disloyal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disloyal
Adjective
  • Instead of forsaking him for this — the most traitorous act ever committed by an American president — congressional Republicans quickly embraced him as the leader of their party once again.
    James Speyer, New York Daily News, 26 May 2026
  • And at the very center of Hell is Satan himself, the traitorous Archangel Lucifer, depicted as a monstrous creature with wings and three heads.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • The government has issued several notices, warning the public to avoid unreliable third-party vendors and to only buy from official or accredited sources.
    Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
  • Does a recall mean my car is unreliable?
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 10 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disloyal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disloyal. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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