Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Thesaurus

treacherous

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of treacherous

not true in one's allegiance to someone or something
  • A treacherous "friend," she's been known to turn against people in the blink of an eye.
Synonyms of treacherous

disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, unfaithful, untrue
Words Related to treacherous

irresponsible, trustless, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy

faltering, hesitant, vacillating, wavering

dubious, irresolute, uncertain

apathetic, dispassionate, uninterested
Near Antonyms of treacherous

dependable, dutiful, reliable, responsible, solid, tried, tried-and-true, trustable, trustworthy, trusty

unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering

determined, intent, resolute

confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool, inveterate, sworn

ardent, avid, enthusiastic, fervent, fervid, impassioned, passionate
Antonyms of treacherous

constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, faithful, fast, loyal, staunch (also stanch), steadfast, steady, true

Synonym Discussion of treacherous

faithless, false, disloyal, traitorous, treacherous, perfidious 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
false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery.
    • betrayed by false friends
disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country.
    • disloyal to their country
traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust.
    • traitorous acts punishable by death
treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.
    • a treacherous adviser
perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability.
    • a perfidious double-crosser

Learn More about treacherous

  1. See words that rhyme with treacherous Dictionary: Definition of treacherous Spanish Central: Translation of treacherous Nglish: Translation of treacherous for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of treacherous for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up treacherous? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

bloviate

play

to speak or write verbosely and windily

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  2. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  3. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  4. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

  5. oligarch 'government in which a small group exercises control'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

image236659401
Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28
'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Why not both?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed
Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97
Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Spell It
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz
Word Winder's CrossWinder
Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game