as in treachery
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another
a reality TV show that seems to have raised backstabbing to an art form
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in betraying
to be unfaithful or disloyal to
knew what it felt like to be backstabbed by a so-called friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 backstabbing
Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2024
The three actors all play Catholic Cardinals in Conclave, a gripping new drama about the backstabbing and posturing that unfolds behind the scenes in Vatican City as the men of the cloth assemble to elect a new pope from among their ranks when the Supreme Pontiff dies.
—Eric Andersson, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024
But some of these godly men harbor secrets and ambitions that lead to backstabbing and scandal.
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2024
Fans can expect more backstabbing, scheming and dragon riding and slaying as the show sets the stage for the long awaited Dance of the Dragons, the famous battle that GoT fans know eventually leads to the Targryens losing their grip on the Iron Throne.
—Olivia Truffaut-Wong, refinery29.com, 12 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for backstabbing 
Noun
Most important: Harper lost her job at Pierpoint thanks to some spectacular backstabbing from Eric, who snitched on her to HR for having forged her transcript.
—Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2024
The three actors all play Catholic Cardinals in Conclave, a gripping new drama about the backstabbing and posturing that unfolds behind the scenes in Vatican City as the men of the cloth assemble to elect a new pope from among their ranks when the Supreme Pontiff dies.
—Eric Andersson, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024
But some of these godly men harbor secrets and ambitions that lead to backstabbing and scandal.
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2024
Fans can expect more backstabbing, scheming and dragon riding and slaying as the show sets the stage for the long awaited Dance of the Dragons, the famous battle that GoT fans know eventually leads to the Targryens losing their grip on the Iron Throne.
—Olivia Truffaut-Wong, refinery29.com, 12 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for backstabbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstabbing
Noun
-
This would be immediately followed by my dad standing up, racing over to my uncle, and sometimes grabbing him by the collar to stop him from completing an action that in their eyes seemed to be an act of utter betrayal and treachery.—
Wayne Chan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Welcome back for another season full of [Alan Cumming voice] deception, backstabbing and treachery!—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
9 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
America’s shoppers are not betraying signs of an economic slowdown.—
Melvin Backman,
Quartz,
18 Dec. 2024
-
Who is the person that loves their husband, and yet is betraying them all the time?—
Carita Rizzo,
Deadline,
15 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
After Rifaat’s betrayal, the anointed was Bassel, the crown prince.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Recommended Trump moves from ‘American carnage’ to ‘a horrible betrayal’ in second inaugural Juries also convicted some on charges of seditious conspiracy, which refers to activities that undermine a state without directly attacking it.—
Patrik Jonsson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near backstabbing
Cite this Entry
“Backstabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstabbing. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share