as in traitors
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 turncoats
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
Alana Wise, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turncoats
traitors
Noun
-
So many traitors, smooth operators.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The stars play a game in which a group of ‘faithful’ players must detect and eliminate ‘traitors,’ who each evening banish others from the competition.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turncoats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turncoats. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share