backstabbing
noun
back·stab·bing
ˈbak-ˌsta-biŋ 
: betrayal (as by a verbal attack against one not present) especially by a false friend
Synonyms
Examples of backstabbing in a Sentence
She was hurt by her former friend's backstabbing.
a reality TV show that seems to have raised backstabbing to an art form
Recent Examples on the Web
The irony of this shouldn’t be lost, as Nintendo’s infamous backstabbing of Sony in the Nineties directly led to the launch of the PlayStation, dethroning the Big N in Machiavellian fashion for a decade until the Wii waggled their way back into relevance.
—
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2023
Survivor 41's Danny McCray and Survivor: Cagayan's Sarah Lacina withstood the backstabbing and climbing across moving trucks on pegs to be The Challenge: USA's first winners.
—Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 17 Aug. 2023
There was plenty of incoherence, sure, a great number of poor decisions, and too much backstabbing.
—James Robins, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2023
But the bombshells have been coming fast and furious since the backdoor pilot — focused on a Housewife’s ex-husband romancing a Sur waitress — and produced, in its early seasons, an almost Shakespearean amount of backstabbing.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2023
Yes, there are insults aplenty, and the requisite amount of backstabbing.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2023
And, for better or for worse, there was no backstabbing among the bakers.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 June 2023
After years of personal and professional humiliation, and of nonstop scheming and marital backstabbing, the man who once sucked up to Logan Roy by buying him a Patek Philippe watch became his official successor.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2023
All that maneuvering, back-channeling and backstabbing may end up ruining everyone’s shot at the top spot, which would be the greatest irony of all.
—Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 26 May 2023
See More
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2023
Survivor 41's Danny McCray and Survivor: Cagayan's Sarah Lacina withstood the backstabbing and climbing across moving trucks on pegs to be The Challenge: USA's first winners.
—Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 17 Aug. 2023
There was plenty of incoherence, sure, a great number of poor decisions, and too much backstabbing.
—James Robins, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2023
But the bombshells have been coming fast and furious since the backdoor pilot — focused on a Housewife’s ex-husband romancing a Sur waitress — and produced, in its early seasons, an almost Shakespearean amount of backstabbing.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2023
Yes, there are insults aplenty, and the requisite amount of backstabbing.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2023
And, for better or for worse, there was no backstabbing among the bakers.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 June 2023
After years of personal and professional humiliation, and of nonstop scheming and marital backstabbing, the man who once sucked up to Logan Roy by buying him a Patek Philippe watch became his official successor.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2023
All that maneuvering, back-channeling and backstabbing may end up ruining everyone’s shot at the top spot, which would be the greatest irony of all.
—Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 26 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backstabbing.' 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
1855, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near backstabbing
Cite this Entry
“Backstabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstabbing. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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