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
• stanch
• trusty
• tried
• unhesitating
• unfaltering
• resolute
• determined
• intent
• confirmed
• inveterate
• enthusiastic
• trustable
• tried-and-true
• passionate
• ardent
• unwavering
• 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

Examples of disloyal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump is vindictive and revels in excoriating his opponents and anyone perceived to be disloyal to him. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2024

The birth of new nation-states has also been accompanied by some of history’s most violent episodes of ethnic cleansing, generally of minorities that were considered disloyal to the nation or suspected of collaborating with its enemies. —Andreas Wimmer, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2019

That has made some aides wary of presenting inconvenient facts to the president for fear of being labeled disloyal. —Alex Thompson, Axios, 12 July 2024

Firing disloyal government personnel One of the most concerning expansions of presidential authority would come if Trump found himself in a position to reinstate an executive order titled Schedule F, which is strongly endorsed by Project 2025. —Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 11 July 2024