1
as in infidelity
lack of faithfulness especially to one's husband or wife
his wife's perfidy was a moment of uncharacteristic weakness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in treachery
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another
the full cost—both in compromised intelligence and in human life—of the double agent's perfidy is not yet known
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 perfidy
More recently, an al Qaeda operative and suspected mastermind behind the 2000 USS Cole bombing — in which suicide bombers sidled up alongside a US warship, waved to the sailors and then detonated explosives — was charged with perfidy, among other crimes.
—
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
The report has raised concerns of perfidy, an act of deception by military forces.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Ever since, the president and his closest allies haven’t stopped trying to repackage the perfidy as patriotism.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
The ignorance, the hubris, the lies, the perfidy.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
The report has raised concerns of perfidy, an act of deception by military forces.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Ever since, the president and his closest allies haven’t stopped trying to repackage the perfidy as patriotism.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
The ignorance, the hubris, the lies, the perfidy.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfidy
Noun
-
The woman and Cooper were both arrested two weeks ago when an altercation began at Cooper's residence over allegations of infidelity.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
-
That factored into her willingness to give her husband a second chance after his infidelity.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Peacock’s adventures in treachery The Traitors was the top dog, scoring five prizes including Best Competition Series and Best Host for Alan Cumming.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
-
Upon learning of Ava’s treachery, Deborah HOWLS.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The filings alleged adultery as the reason behind the divorce.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
-
Public opinion is against adultery.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Figo famously made the ultimate betrayal in 2000 when Perez became Real Madrid president for the first time.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
His jealousy provokes an act of betrayal and cruelty.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Challenging a decision can be interpreted as disloyalty.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Discontent with congressional inaction also became an issue in Massie’s primary, as what was long celebrated as independence and principle was instead framed as disloyalty, grandstanding, and mindless obstructionism.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
War complicates the domestic front, turning any dissent into treason.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
-
On this day in 1964, eight activist leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment for treason, sabotage, and conspiracy against South Africa’s apartheid government.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perfidy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfidy. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
