Synonyms of disloyal

disloyal

adjective

(ˌ)dis-ˈlȯi(-ə)l 

as in traitorous

not true in one's allegiance to someone or something

we sensed that he was disloyal and would eventually turn on us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• traitorous
• unreliable
• treacherous
• false
• unfaithful
• faithless
• perfidious
• untrue
• fickle
• inconstant
• recreant
• untrustworthy
• irresponsible
• hesitant
• undependable
• uncertain
• faltering
• irresolute
• dubious
• uninterested
• apathetic
• dispassionate
• wavering
• vacillating
• trustless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loyal
• faithful
• true
• constant
• responsible
• devout
• steadfast
• steady
• staunch
• reliable
• fast
• devoted
• trustworthy
• dedicated
• dependable
• dutiful
• solid
• down-the-line
• trusty
• tried
• unhesitating
• unfaltering
• resolute
• determined
• intent
• confirmed
• inveterate
• enthusiastic
• trustable
• tried-and-true
• passionate
• unwavering
• ardent
• sworn
• impassioned
• fervent
• avid
• fervid
• dyed-in-the-wool

Synonym Chooser

How is the word disloyal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of disloyal are faithless, false, perfidious, traitorous, and treacherous. While all these words mean "untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance," disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country.

disloyal to their country

Where would faithless be a reasonable alternative to disloyal?

The words faithless and disloyal can be used in similar contexts, but faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty.

faithless allies

When would false be a good substitute for disloyal?

Although the words false and disloyal have much in common, false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery.

betrayed by false friends

How are the words perfidious and faithless related as synonyms of disloyal?

Perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability.

a perfidious double-crosser

When is it sensible to use traitorous instead of disloyal?

In some situations, the words traitorous and disloyal are roughly equivalent. However, traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust.

traitorous acts punishable by death

When might treacherous be a better fit than disloyal?

The words treacherous and disloyal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.

a treacherous adviser

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disloyal

Experts have warned that hypertoxic and violent language can sometimes influence people offline, including by encouraging acts of vigilante violence against those seen as disloyal, although there have been no reports of further violence since Kirk’s killing. —David Ingram, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025

Analysts in Colombia agree that Maduro's internal military personnel are untrained, disloyal, and that many cannot be located. —Kristina Foltz, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025

Those who consider Loeffler disloyal don’t know him. —Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025

Picquart reopens the investigation and pushes for a retrial, butting heads with his superiors and with a disloyal, antisemitic subordinate (Grégory Gadebois)—ultimately derailing his military career in the pursuit of justice. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2025