disloyal

adjective

dis·​loy·​al (ˌ)dis-ˈlȯi(-ə)l 

: lacking in loyalty

also : showing an absence of allegiance, devotion, obligation, faith, or support

his disloyal refusal to help his friend

disloyally

(ˌ)dis-ˈlȯi-ə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• traitorous
• unreliable

Choose the Right Synonym for disloyal

faithless, false, disloyal, traitorous, treacherous, perfidious mean untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance.

faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty.

faithless allies

false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery.

betrayed by false friends

disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country.

disloyal to their country

traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust.

traitorous acts punishable by death

treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.

a treacherous adviser

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

a perfidious double-crosser

Examples of disloyal in a Sentence

It would be disloyal to abandon them.

we sensed that he was disloyal and would eventually turn on us

Recent Examples on the Web

Any attempt to redefine yourself is treated as confusing or disloyal. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Supporters of the government view Mr. Bar as disloyal to Mr. Netanyahu, but critics consider his removal a dangerous precedent that undermines the independence of democratic institutions. —Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

The restructuring comes after Trump in April fired multiple senior NSC officials flagged by right-wing activist Laura Loomer as being disloyal to Trump during a White House visit. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 25 May 2025

Loyalty-first governance Trump has intensified his efforts to reshape the government in his image, purging officials considered disloyal and politicizing civil service and national security roles. —Mark K. Updegrove, Time, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French desleial, desloial, from des- dis- + leal loyal

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disloyal

• loyal
• royal
• pennyroyal

Kids Definition

disloyal

adjective

dis·​loy·​al (ˈ)dis-ˈlȯi(-ə)l 

: lacking in loyalty

disloyally

-ˈlȯi-ə-lē 

adverb

disloyalty

-ˈlȯi(-ə)l-tē

noun