Synonyms of backstabbing

backstabbing 1 of 2

noun

ˈbak-ˌsta-biŋ 

as in treachery

the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another

a reality TV show that seems to have raised backstabbing to an art form

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treachery
• betrayal
• treason
• deception
• infidelity
• perfidy
• disloyalty
• deceit
• lying
• falseness
• faithlessness
• sellout
• unfaithfulness
• double cross
• abandonment
• business
• two-timing
• falsity
• duplicity
• double-dealing
• desertion
• fraud
• trickery
• guile
• informing
• two-facedness
• snitching
• talebearing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loyalty
• allegiance
• fidelity
• devotion
• faithfulness
• fealty
• steadfastness
• reliability
• trustworthiness
• dependability
• defense
• protection
• staunchness
• shield
• safeguard

backstabbing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of backstab

as in betraying

to be unfaithful or disloyal to

knew what it felt like to be backstabbed by a so-called friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• betraying
• double-crossing
• selling (out)
• two-timing
• crossing
• stabbing in the back
• selling down the river
• going back on
• giving away
• shopping
• informing (on)
• telling (on)
• splitting (on)
• snitching (on)
• peaching
• turning in
• ratting (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protecting
• defending
• saving
• guarding
• standing by
• shielding
• safeguarding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of backstabbing

Noun

An odd introduction to a game of manipulation and backstabbing, perhaps, but that is the duality of Survivor. — Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026

This is the high-stakes intrigue of alliances, diplomacy, secrets, backstabbing, love, lies and drama that keep the world running and sometimes threaten to stop it. — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

The lying, backstabbing and manipulation the game inspires does indeed make for delightful TV viewing. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026

This 2000s teen drama delivers relationship drama, backstabbing, layered characters, and an ominous anonymous blogger chronicling all of it. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026