traitor
traitors
A traitor says one thing but does another. If you promise a friend you'll keep his secret, but instead you blab it to everyone, you're a traitor.
The word origin says it all: traditorem is the Latin word for "betrayer." Liar? Yes. Backstabber? Yes. True friend? Heavens, no. Traitors betray the trust of those who have faith in them or believe their promises. Traitor also applies to a person who betrays his country by committing treason: turning against his own government, perhaps by selling secret information.
Definitions of traitor
-
a person who says one thing and does another
-
someone who betrays his country by committing treason
-
synonyms:
treasonist
-
examples:
-
Benedict Arnold
United States general and traitor in the American Revolution; in 1780 his plan to surrender West Point to the British was foiled (1741-1801)
-
types:
-
collaborationist, collaborator, quisling
someone who collaborates with an enemy occupying force
-
fifth columnist, saboteur
a member of a clandestine subversive organization who tries to help a potential invader
-
traitress
female traitor
-
type of:
-
criminal, crook, felon, malefactor, outlaw
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
-
Benedict Arnold
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘traitor'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Look up traitor for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.
