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
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
The turncoats are John Hannah, Biggie Munn, Bo Schembechler and Burt Smith.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Some have likened Barrett to the late Justice David Souter, who was appointed by Republican President George H.W. Bush and later branded a turncoat.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for turncoat
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
The turncoats are John Hannah, Biggie Munn, Bo Schembechler and Burt Smith.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Some have likened Barrett to the late Justice David Souter, who was appointed by Republican President George H.W. Bush and later branded a turncoat.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for turncoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turncoat
traitor
Noun
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Rinna was the second traitor to be banished this season, following TV personality Donna Kelce.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Jan. 2026
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Other must reads For centuries, Malinche was vilified in Mexico as the ultimate traitor.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turncoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turncoat. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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