traitor

noun

trai·​tor ˈtrā-tər 

1

: one who betrays another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty

2

: one who commits treason

Synonyms

• betrayer
• snake

Examples of traitor in a Sentence

She has been called a traitor to the liberal party's cause.

He was a traitor who betrayed his country by selling military secrets to the enemy.

Recent Examples on the Web

One analyst who praised the plan was accused of being a race traitor, and other critics have voiced fears that China will be overrun by outsiders. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025

The high-concept social experiment show, in which a group of strangers work together to uncover the traitors, sorry, werewolves, amongst them, was a breakout hit on Canal+ in France and has already been adapted for ARD’s online service in Germany. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025

If Brian doesn't answer, he will be labeled a traitor. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2025

Ross was selected as a murderous game player in the opening episode of the BBC series, working alongside fellow traitors Cat Burns and Alan Carr to hunt down faithfuls. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English traytour, from Anglo-French traitre, from Latin traditor, from tradere to hand over, deliver, betray, from trans-, tra- trans- + dare to give — more at date

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing traitor

• turn traitor

Rhymes for traitor

• cater
• crater
• frater
• freighter
• gator
• grater
• greater
• hater
• krater
• later
• plater
• prater

Kids Definition

traitor

noun

trai·​tor ˈtrāt-ər 

1

: one who betrays another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty

2

: one who commits treason

Etymology

Middle English traitre "traitor," from early French traitre (same meaning), from Latin traditor (same meaning), derived from tradere "to hand over, betray" — related to treason see Word History at treason