Synonyms of traitorous

traitorous

adjective

ˈtrā-tə-rəs 

as in false

not true in one's allegiance to someone or something

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• false
• treacherous
• unreliable
• disloyal
• perfidious
• faithless
• unfaithful
• untrue
• inconstant
• fickle
• recreant
• untrustworthy
• irresponsible
• hesitant
• uncertain
• undependable
• dubious
• faltering
• irresolute
• uninterested
• apathetic
• dispassionate
• wavering
• trustless
• vacillating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loyal
• true
• constant
• faithful
• staunch
• steadfast
• responsible
• devout
• steady
• solid
• dedicated
• dutiful
• devoted
• fast
• reliable
• trustworthy
• dependable
• trusty
• down-the-line
• stanch
• resolute
• tried
• unfaltering
• intent
• unhesitating
• determined
• inveterate
• confirmed
• tried-and-true
• enthusiastic
• ardent
• passionate
• fervent
• unwavering
• trustable
• impassioned
• sworn
• fervid
• avid
• dyed-in-the-wool

Synonym Chooser

How is the word traitorous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of traitorous are disloyal, faithless, false, perfidious, and treacherous. While all these words mean "untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance," traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust.

traitorous acts punishable by death

Where would disloyal be a reasonable alternative to traitorous?

The words disloyal and traitorous can be used in similar contexts, but disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country.

disloyal to their country

When could faithless be used to replace traitorous?

The words faithless and traitorous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty.

faithless allies

When is it sensible to use false instead of traitorous?

While in some cases nearly identical to traitorous, false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery.

betrayed by false friends

How do perfidious and faithless relate to one another, in the sense of traitorous?

Perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability.

a perfidious double-crosser

In what contexts can treacherous take the place of traitorous?

Although the words treacherous and traitorous have much in common, treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.

a treacherous adviser

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of traitorous

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