Definition of faithlessnext

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of faithless are disloyal, false, perfidious, traitorous, and treacherous. While all these words mean "untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance," faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty.

faithless allies

When can disloyal be used instead of faithless?

The synonyms disloyal and faithless are sometimes interchangeable, but disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country.

disloyal to their country

When could false be used to replace faithless?

In some situations, the words false and faithless are roughly equivalent. However, false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery.

betrayed by false friends

How do perfidious and faithless relate to one another?

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

a perfidious double-crosser

When is traitorous a more appropriate choice than faithless?

While the synonyms traitorous and faithless are close in meaning, traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust.

traitorous acts punishable by death

When might treacherous be a better fit than faithless?

The meanings of treacherous and faithless largely overlap; however, treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.

a treacherous adviser

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of faithless Consumed by rage and betrayal, Eleanor is driven to take a bloody, supernatural revenge upon her faithless husband. — Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025 Spouses, in this gritty Philadelphia suburb, are mostly faithless, absent or dead. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025 Men are a structuring absence, as they are spoken of as faithless husbands, potential fiancés, feckless sons. — John Bleasdale, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024 Don Cheadle and Benicio del Toro are both quite good as part of a team that’s tasked with stealing a secret document, setting the stage for a drama involving gangsters, faithless lovers, and white-collar crooks. — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 July 2021 See All Example Sentences for faithless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithless
Adjective
  • The book is centered on a traitorous CIA officer who has found refuge with the Russian mafia with plans to kill Reece.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Telemachus’ lone contribution is killing Melanthius, the traitorous Ithacan farmhand, thus preventing him from continuing to arm the suitors.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 July 2026
Adjective
  • According to Rose, weeks without rain can force them to conserve water, while prolonged storms can leave them with less solar power and unreliable Wi-Fi.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2026
  • If its data becomes outdated or its model fails to account for changing conditions, its predictions can become unreliable.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Lina Attalah, a co-founder and editor-in-chief of Mada Masr, is challenging a one-year prison sentence and a fine imposed in absentia on charges of operating a website without a license and spreading false news.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Numerous European carriers were hit with false bomb threats last week, including Irish airlines Aer Lingus and Ryanair, Hungarian carrier Wizz Air and Polish Airlines.
    — Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Huang acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and apologized to his family and the company.
    — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • According to Nvidia, Huang sent an email to his employees on Sunday, acknowledging the relationship, and apologizing for being unfaithful to his wife.
    — Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 9 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Besides, second terms--and especially their final two years--have proved treacherous for every recent president, including Reagan, who survived a major scandal involving arms sales to Iran.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Except, counters Soll, that the placement of the giraffe is treacherous because the front door swings right in its path.
    — Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Faithless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithless. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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