1
as in infidelity
lack of faithfulness especially to one's husband or wife
his wife's perfidy was a moment of uncharacteristic weakness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in treachery
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another
the full cost—both in compromised intelligence and in human life—of the double agent's perfidy is not yet known
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 perfidy
The report has raised concerns of perfidy, an act of deception by military forces.
—
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Ever since, the president and his closest allies haven’t stopped trying to repackage the perfidy as patriotism.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
The ignorance, the hubris, the lies, the perfidy.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
All that said, Trump’s willingness to forgive the legal sins of former GOP congressman is a notable footnote to an often wretched history of pardon perfidy engaged in by presidents of both parties.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Ever since, the president and his closest allies haven’t stopped trying to repackage the perfidy as patriotism.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
The ignorance, the hubris, the lies, the perfidy.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
All that said, Trump’s willingness to forgive the legal sins of former GOP congressman is a notable footnote to an often wretched history of pardon perfidy engaged in by presidents of both parties.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfidy
Noun
-
But instead of paving the way for some good ol’ fashioned infidelity, the liquid courage causes the women to turn on each other, with the evening devolving into inebriated insults and recriminations.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Pugh had filed for a divorce for infidelity, said Troy Brown, the husband of one of the women who was shot and father to one of the deceased children.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Inflamed by Ratansen’s adviser’s account of Padmavati’s beauty, Alauddin Khalji storms the fortress by treachery rather than valor.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But Bateman's treachery also had a distinctly silly side.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Bible teaches that lying, stealing, adultery and coveting your neighbor’s property are sins.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The facile novelty of adultery is its own mask, a sexy way of dressing up a deep, frightened longing for security.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The album explores themes of love, betrayal, and Black identity, blending music, poetry, and film.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
-
There’s misperceived betrayals, a surprise pregnancy, sudden abandonment, a sentimental reconciliation, a fatal illness and a tearful farewell.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Of the six House members expelled, the first three fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War and were expelled for disloyalty.—
Kevin Freking,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The first three fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War and were expelled for disloyalty.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Under existing law, lawmakers can lose their pensions if convicted of a federal crime that relates to public corruption, espionage, treason or several other national security offenses.—
Anna Liss-Roy The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2026
-
He is later suspected of treason when a petition alleges that he had been declared the rightful king by his armorer.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perfidy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfidy. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
