double-cross

1 of 2

verb

dou·​ble-cross ˌdə-bəl-ˈkrȯs 

double-crossed; double-crossing; double-crosses

transitive verb

: to deceive by double-dealing : betray

double-crosser noun

double cross

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an act of winning or trying to win a fight or match after agreeing to lose it

b

: an act of betraying or cheating an associate

2

: a cross between first-generation hybrids of four separate inbred lines (as in the production of hybrid seed corn)

Synonyms

Verb

• backstab
• betray
• cross
• sell (out)
• two-time

Noun

• backstabbing
• betrayal
• business
• disloyalty
• faithlessness
• falseness
• falsity
• infidelity
• perfidy
• sellout
• treachery
• treason
• two-timing
• unfaithfulness

Examples of double-cross in a Sentence

Verb

she promised to share the profits but then double-crossed us

Noun

politics is full of double crosses and backbiting

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

For Gracie, her elimination came after she was double-crossed by Naomi, who purposely lied to her about Adam’s celebrity relative being Dustin Hoffman. —Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 18 July 2024

Moscow did not take kindly to Bakiyev’s double-cross and welcomed his overthrow the following year. U.S.-led efforts to spur regional economic development by connecting Afghanistan to Central Asia and South Asia also provoked a backlash. —Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 23 Aug. 2021

Noun

When Josue double crosses his employers, he is executed for his betrayal. —Scott Phillips, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024

In his two decades as a professional drug snitch, Jorge Hernández was a master of the double cross. —Byjoshua Goodman, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

double cross

noun

: an act of betraying or cheating especially an associate

double-cross

ˌdəb-əl-ˈkrȯs

verb

double-crosser noun