Judas

noun

Ju·​das ˈjü-dəs How to pronounce Judas (audio)
1
a
: the apostle who in the Gospel accounts betrayed Jesus
b
: a son of James and one of the twelve apostles
2
: traitor
especially : one who betrays under the guise of friendship
3
not capitalized : peephole

called also judas hole, judas window

Examples of Judas in a Sentence

He was called a Judas by the press. she heatedly called her best friend a Judas after she found out her secrets had been spread all over town
Recent Examples on the Web The film also colors complex, tense relationships with Judas (Harvey Keitel) and Mary Magdalene (Barbara Hershey) that effectively dramatize and emphasize Christ’s humanity. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024 As Ana makes a home with Jesus, his brothers and his mother Mary, her brother Judas is busy stirring up resistance to the Roman occupation of Israel. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 But growing up in the 1980s, Turner became enamored of a different genre: listening to — and learning to play — the hard rock and heavy metal of AC/DC, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024 This year’s lineup is absolutely gigantic, featuring such masters of hard rock as Iron Maiden, Slayer, Halestorm, Slipknot, Pantera, Five Finger Death Punch, Evanescence, Judas Priest and Mötley Crüe. Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024 Slayer and Pantera will perform Oct. 10; Slipknot and Five Finger Death Punch on Oct. 11; Iron Maiden and Judas Priest on Oct. 12; and Mötley Crüe and Disturbed on Oct. 13. Michael McGough, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2024 The latter track is from Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album, which hit No. 1 on the Soundtracks chart and No. 12 on the Billboard 200. Xander Zellner, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2024 Louder Than Life, however, has revealed its entire 2024 lineup, which includes Judas Priest, Slipknot, the Offspring, Korn, Mötley Crüe, Tom Morello, Anthrax, Mastodon, Sum41, Evanescence, and dozens more. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024 The list features Janet Jackson, Judas Priest, Tim McGraw, Wayne Newton, Kathy Griffin, Paw Patrol Live! Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Judas.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek Ioudas, from Hebrew Yĕhūdhāh

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Judas was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near Judas

Cite this Entry

“Judas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Judas. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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