turncoat

noun turn·coat \ ˈtərn-ˌkōt \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Examples: turncoat in a Sentence

Definition of turncoat

: one who switches to an opposing side or party; specifically : traitor

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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 of turncoat from the Web

The turncoats were mainly members of the Freedom Caucus — or Fleadom Caucus, as some now call those pesky members.

— andrew malcolm, San Francisco Chronicle, "How a GOP-led Congress defeats GOP members," 22 May 2018
The turncoat had disclosed the names of Russians who had been helping the CIA.

— Fox News, "CIA's Haspel can tap undercover work in Russian operations," 19 May 2018
When the lawyer, John Fitzgerald, who was then representing a Mob turncoat Joe Barboza, turned on the ignition to his car in 1968, the explosive detonated.

— john r. ellement, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Cadillac Frank’ no stranger to prison and violence," 9 May 2018
Selling off its gun brands could be seen as turncoat compromise by Second Amendment absolutists (see what happened to Yeti last week). Boycotts of those brands by that crowd could follow.

— wes siler, Outside Online, "Vista Outdoor to Stop Making Guns," 1 May 2018
Twain, a beloved icon to decades of readers, appears to have been guilty of this same turncoat behavior with his nephew, Charles Webster, in 1888.

— marie lavendier, courant.com, "The Lioness And The King: Was Mark Twain's Secretary A Treasure? Or 'A Salacious Slut'?," 29 Apr. 2018
As the heavily armed Saviors, whose firepower was bolstered by turncoat Eugene's round-the-clock bullet production, closed in, Negan gave the order to shoot — and everything changed.

— bill keveney, USA TODAY, "'The Walking Dead' recap: 'All-Out War' ends with Rick-Negan showdown," 15 Apr. 2018
Lipton kept up the conciliatory tone on Saturday, casting the union defectors not as turncoats, but victims of a pressure campaign by Cuomo and his allies.

— gregory krieg, CNN, "Nixon gets big progressive endorsement as NY Democrats face rupture," 14 Apr. 2018
In time, her reputation became scarred by accusations of extreme brutality toward suspected turncoats, misbehavior and indiscretion in her private life, and a radicalism that seemed at odds with Mandela's quest for racial inclusiveness.

— author: alan cowell, Anchorage Daily News, "Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who fought apartheid with her husband, has died at 81," 2 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turncoat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.