as in traitor
one who betrays a trust or an allegiance
the plot of the story revolved around the gangster's relentless determination to learn the identity of the turncoat
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Recent Examples of turncoat
The Conservatives, currently led by Kemi Badenoch, slammed Braverman following her defection, characterizing her as an inevitable turncoat and questioning her mental faculties.
—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Jan. 2026
What starts as an innocent father/daughter college visit takes a shocking turn when Tony brutally strangles a Mob turncoat.
—
Dan Snierson,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Dec. 2025
In his first interview since the tragic events in May, Cacique, a Spanish nickname given to a local boss, said the turncoats hoped to receive a reward for the capture of Robert Colina, whose alias was Pantera, Spanish for panther.
—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
President Abraham Lincoln called on state militias at the outset of the Civil War to help in fighting Confederate turncoats to the South.
—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turncoat
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Jan. 2026
What starts as an innocent father/daughter college visit takes a shocking turn when Tony brutally strangles a Mob turncoat.
—
Dan Snierson,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Dec. 2025
In his first interview since the tragic events in May, Cacique, a Spanish nickname given to a local boss, said the turncoats hoped to receive a reward for the capture of Robert Colina, whose alias was Pantera, Spanish for panther.
—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
President Abraham Lincoln called on state militias at the outset of the Civil War to help in fighting Confederate turncoats to the South.
—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turncoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turncoat
traitor
Noun
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Harper suspects Bichette, after seven seasons in Toronto, won’t be treated as a traitor.
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In other words, had become a traitor.
Cite this Entry
“Turncoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turncoat. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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