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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in betraying
to be unfaithful or disloyal to
knew what it felt like to be backstabbed by a so-called friend
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backstabbing
Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 14 Aug. 2025
The best crime drama streaming has it all: feuding mob families, backstabbing, feds, snitches, violence, fantastic needle drops, and multiple conversations about ziti.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Through backstabbing, alliances and thrilling competition, players have the chance to win $4.56 million — a fraction of the 45.6 billion won that's offered in the fictional Squid Game.
—Skyler Trepel, People.com, 30 June 2025
Josh Kroenke fired his coach and president of basketball operations in April to end years of not-so-secret intra-office backstabbing and rancor.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstabbing
Noun
The Traitors fans, now’s your chance to do a little backstabbing of your own.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 14 Aug. 2025
The best crime drama streaming has it all: feuding mob families, backstabbing, feds, snitches, violence, fantastic needle drops, and multiple conversations about ziti.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Through backstabbing, alliances and thrilling competition, players have the chance to win $4.56 million — a fraction of the 45.6 billion won that's offered in the fictional Squid Game.
—Skyler Trepel, People.com, 30 June 2025
Josh Kroenke fired his coach and president of basketball operations in April to end years of not-so-secret intra-office backstabbing and rancor.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstabbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstabbing
Noun
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With season 4 rapidly approaching, now's the time to prepare for the treachery to come.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Dec. 2025
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Instead of being killed, Ashur takes Spartacus’ life and is consequently rewarded for his treachery by the Roman Empire.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In effect, by criticizing the lower courts, a handful of Supreme Court justices are coming dangerously close to betraying, rather than protecting, the rule of law.—
Noah Feldman,
Twin Cities,
24 Dec. 2025
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The ponyatiya of Putin’s youth generally meant never betraying your gang and always standing up for your friends.—
Andrew Ryvkin,
The Atlantic,
6 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In June 2025, Peacock revealed the latest slate of celebrities set to battle it out in a high-stakes game of lies, alliances and betrayal inside a castle in the Scottish Highlands — all for a chance to win up to $250,000.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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Rumors of treason, incompetence and betrayal swirled.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstabbing. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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