quisling

American  

[kwiz-ling] / ˈkwɪz lɪŋ /

noun

1. a person who betrays their own country by aiding an invading enemy, often serving later in a puppet government; fifth columnist.

---

quisling British  

/ ˈkwɪzlɪŋ /

noun

1. a traitor who aids an occupying enemy force; collaborator

---

Etymology

Origin of quisling

1940; after Vidkun Quisling (1887–1945), pro-Nazi Norwegian leader

Example Sentences

An occupying Japanese army swept into Northeastern China and, under the quisling emperor Pu Yi, established the puppet state of Manchukuo.

From The Wall Street Journal

His low-key quisling turn was entirely in character, and not nearly enough to explain the media’s collective sense of betrayal.

From Salon

Lunsford contended that by referring to him as a “quisling,” Lewin had likened him to a “Nazi collaborator,” according to the letter.

From Los Angeles Times

Flap is a guy who uses words like “quisling” and blames “pregnancy paranoia” for his wife’s cheating accusations.

From New York Times

After that, it was assumed, Putin would appoint a quisling government and annex big chunks of the country.

From Salon