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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perfidy
Despite high trade deficits, the U.S. economy is strong
Trump and his advisers point to America’s lopsided trade numbers—year after year of huge deficits—as proof of foreigners’ perfidy.
—
Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Jane’s fiercely unforgiving tone was adopted by militant Irish nationalists for whom the famine stood as the ultimate proof of English perfidy.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
But what Neil is accused of is something well beyond cunning or perfidy or faithlessness, well beyond questionable morality.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
Those intrepid few who still clung to the belief that American perfidy shielded Duke’s players from true justice just had the rug pulled out from under them by Mangum herself.
—The Editors, National Review, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Jane’s fiercely unforgiving tone was adopted by militant Irish nationalists for whom the famine stood as the ultimate proof of English perfidy.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
But what Neil is accused of is something well beyond cunning or perfidy or faithlessness, well beyond questionable morality.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
Those intrepid few who still clung to the belief that American perfidy shielded Duke’s players from true justice just had the rug pulled out from under them by Mangum herself.
—The Editors, National Review, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfidy
Noun
-
Wole’s infidelity is an important inciting incident, but this moment of personal reckoning was inevitable.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
This type of infidelity can stem from dissatisfaction in the relationship or a desire for something different.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And when the surviving crew interrogates the android Ash about his treachery, the book has him pretty much spill the space beans.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
-
When does compromise become treachery or defeat?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Unhappy unions loom large in the novel, which teems with adultery.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Thou shalt not commit adultery.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But his mass deportation agenda is increasingly viewed as a betrayal, leaving many second-guessing their support.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
What begins as betrayal becomes a story of resilience and solidarity—proving Richard picked the wrong trio to mess with.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Many of China’s top military officials have been purged during Xi’s third term on charges of corruption or disloyalty.—
PHILIP H. GORDON,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Sep. 2025
-
A lot of disloyalty this season with lots of empty words.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Trump and his allies later branded Comey a leaker, with the president even accusing him of treason.—
Eric Tucker,
Twin Cities,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Brown was caught after the raid failed and charged with treason.—
Christopher Tremoglie,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perfidy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfidy. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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