traitorous

adjective

trai·​tor·​ous ˈtrā-tə-rəs  ˈtrā-trəs 

1

: guilty or capable of treason

2

: constituting treason

traitorous activities

traitorously adverb

Synonyms

• disloyal
• faithless
• false
• fickle
• inconstant
• perfidious
• recreant
• treacherous
• unfaithful
• untrue

Choose the Right Synonym for traitorous

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

Examples of traitorous in a Sentence

when our coach took a job at a rival college, a few traitorous players went right along with him

Recent Examples on the Web

He’s played an iconic Harry Potter hero as well as a traitorous Marvel villain. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2024

These Democratic leaders are making a rational and somewhat painful decision, not becoming traitorous. —Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 19 July 2024

Erdogan will portray anyone who does not support the new presidential system that has been voted in by the Turkish people as an enemy of Turkey who serves traitorous masters. —Michael J. Koplow, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2017

In one of the greatest revenge stories of all time, Edmond escapes from prison, collects an enormous fortune, and gets his sweet vengeance on the traitorous Fernand and his accomplices. —EW.com, 31 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

traitorous

adjective

trai·​tor·​ous ˈtrāt-ə-rəs 

ˈtrā-trəs

1

: guilty or capable of treason

2

: amounting to treason

traitorous acts