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

• betrayer
• snake

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

Such an admission would mean that his family would never be safe again, since they’d forever be associated with a traitor. —Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 22 Aug. 2025

The fort, which overlooks the Thames River, was the site of an 1781 massacre led by the infamous traitor Benedict Arnold. —Ashley Craig, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025

Taiwan’s parties, in other words, portray their opponents not just as politically different but as autocratic traitors. —Lev Nachman, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 2025

Foundation is worried about the traitors, the Empire is worried about the Galactic Council, the Emperor is worried about the other emperors and the robot. —Jeff Conway, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

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

Rhymes for traitor

• cater
• crater
• frater
• freighter
• gator
• grater
• greater
• hater
• krater
• later
• plater
• prater

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