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

• apostate
• backstabber
• betrayer
• double-crosser
• double-dealer
• Judas
• quisling
• recreant
• serpent
• snake
• turncoat

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

He is often depicted as a traitor who usurps Arthur’s throne and ultimately brings about the king’s demise at the Battle of Camlannl. —Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 15 July 2024

To the surprise of our men, the extreme left flank of the Continental Army was enveloped by the British receiving intelligence of an alternative road by traitors to our cause. —Christopher Eric Bouchat, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2024

Meanwhile, Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso) receives a call from a panicked A-Train (Jessie T. Usher), who’s worried about being fingered as a traitor, after leaking intel to the Boys. —Alex Raiman, EW.com, 4 July 2024

Also, a traitor showing classified documents to a Russian! —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 June 2024

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

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