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
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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
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Recent Examples of backstabbing
Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026
This 2000s teen drama has relationship drama, backstabbing, layered characters, and an ominous blogger to chronicle it all.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 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
But the hardest part of the novel wasn’t scripting the scheming, backstabbing, or duplicitous behavior.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backstabbing
Noun
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 has relationship drama, backstabbing, layered characters, and an ominous blogger to chronicle it all.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 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
But the hardest part of the novel wasn’t scripting the scheming, backstabbing, or duplicitous behavior.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backstabbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstabbing
Noun
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Peacock’s adventures in treachery The Traitors was the top dog, scoring five prizes including Best Competition Series and Best Host for Alan Cumming.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
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Upon learning of Ava’s treachery, Deborah HOWLS.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Nonetheless, top venture capitalists feel then need to assure that there won’t be a mass selloff when selling opens, betraying a persistent anxiety beneath the bonanza.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
17 June 2026
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At the end of the second season, multiple armies were mustering for war over King's Landing as the Targaryen clan just couldn't stop betraying each other long enough to govern.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Figo famously made the ultimate betrayal in 2000 when Perez became Real Madrid president for the first time.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
His jealousy provokes an act of betrayal and cruelty.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstabbing. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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