perfidy

noun

ˈpər-fə-dē How to pronounce perfidy (audio)
Definition of perfidynext
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

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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 More recently, an al Qaeda operative and suspected mastermind behind the 2000 USS Cole bombing — in which suicide bombers sidled up alongside a US warship, waved to the sailors and then detonated explosives — was charged with perfidy, among other crimes. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfidy
  1. infidelity
  2. treachery
  3. adultery
  4. betrayal
  5. disloyalty
  6. treason
Noun
  • Sure, that sounds ridiculous for a season about rape, infidelity, mass murder, suicide, and society’s ruthless commodification of those very things.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The 82-year-old actor writes candidly about infidelity, addiction, his son’s imprisonment and his battle with oral cancer, while reflecting on the costs of a life in show business and his love for California.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of infidelity
Noun
  • Was there a whiff of treachery among this crew, someone who might betray them to the Germans?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026
  • For his treachery in conspiring with Gwayne, Daemon claims Corlys as his own prisoner.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of treachery
Noun
  • The Royal Family, whose relations with Spencer have long been strained, are said to fear the book could contain numerous bombshells about Charles and Diana’s relationship, which was infamously plagued by adultery and acrimony.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Its citizens held slaves, some of whom were shackled for committing adultery.
    — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of adultery
Noun
  • Washington’s track record, after all, is defined by betrayal.
    — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Pulled into the action is Liz Gold, an idealistic young woman whose courage and conviction force Leamas to navigate a world where loyalties fracture and betrayal is inevitable.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of betrayal
Noun
  • Anything less will demonstrate societal disloyalty to the government and opposition to the Ukraine War.
    — Regina Smyth, The Conversation, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Leaders can maintain alumni relationships, make re-entry culturally acceptable and ensure hiring processes do not automatically treat departure as disloyalty.
    — Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of disloyalty
Noun
  • The Culture Minister has accused them of treason and sought to revoke their citizenship.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • These people are opening the door to our enemies, which used to be called treason.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of treason

Browse Nearby Words

perfidiousness
perfidy
perforate
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Cite this Entry

“Perfidy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfidy. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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