turncoat
noun
turn·coat
ˈtərn-ˌkōt 
: one who switches to an opposing side or party
specifically
: traitor
Examples of turncoat in a Sentence
the plot of the story revolved around the gangster's relentless determination to learn the identity of the turncoat
Recent Examples on the Web
Some have likened Barrett to the late Justice David Souter, who was appointed by Republican President George H.W. Bush and later branded a turncoat.
—
Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 25 June 2025
In the pantheon of Bond villains, turncoats from MI6 have often served as some of the best baddies.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025
The new synthetic has Bishop’s genuine care for humanity, until he’s corrupted by a synthetic modeled (very directly) after Ash, turning him into a turncoat android more in line with the prequels’ David (Michael Fassbender).
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024
The other senators are immediately abuzz, and Mothma has to be smuggled out of the spherical senate chamber to avoid abduction by a turncoat.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for turncoat
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 25 June 2025
In the pantheon of Bond villains, turncoats from MI6 have often served as some of the best baddies.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025
The new synthetic has Bishop’s genuine care for humanity, until he’s corrupted by a synthetic modeled (very directly) after Ash, turning him into a turncoat android more in line with the prequels’ David (Michael Fassbender).
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024
The other senators are immediately abuzz, and Mothma has to be smuggled out of the spherical senate chamber to avoid abduction by a turncoat.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for turncoat
Cite this Entry
“Turncoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turncoat. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
turncoat
noun
turn·coat
ˈtərn-ˌkōt
: a person on one side who goes over to the other
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share