traitorous

adjective

trai·​tor·​ous ˈtrā-tə-rəs How to pronounce traitorous (audio) ˈtrā-trəs How to pronounce traitorous (audio)
1
: guilty or capable of treason
2
: constituting treason
traitorous activities
traitorously adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for traitorous

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 traitorous in a Sentence

when our coach took a job at a rival college, a few traitorous players went right along with him
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Amid this chaos, Penn shows up in London, subtly manipulating British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear) into keeping the whole traitorous scheme under wraps. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024 He’s played an iconic Harry Potter hero as well as a traitorous Marvel villain. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2024 These Democratic leaders are making a rational and somewhat painful decision, not becoming traitorous. Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 19 July 2024 Erdogan will portray anyone who does not support the new presidential system that has been voted in by the Turkish people as an enemy of Turkey who serves traitorous masters. Michael J. Koplow, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2017 See all Example Sentences for traitorous 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of traitorous was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near traitorous

Cite this Entry

“Traitorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traitorous. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

traitorous

adjective
trai·​tor·​ous ˈtrāt-ə-rəs How to pronounce traitorous (audio)
ˈtrā-trəs
1
: guilty or capable of treason
2
: amounting to treason
traitorous acts

More from Merriam-Webster on traitorous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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