turncoat

[ turn-koht ]

noun

1. a person who changes to the opposite party or faction, reverses principles, etc.; renegade.

turncoat

/ ˈtɜːnˌkəʊt /

noun

1. a person who deserts one cause or party for the opposite faction; renegade

Word History and Origins

Origin of turncoat¹

First recorded in 1550–60; origin uncertain; possibly from the practice hiding one's allegiance by turning one's coat inside out and covering one's party colors, military insignia, or heraldic badges; turn + coat

Example Sentences

Many Poles use the term “turncoat” in a completely different way.

From The Daily Beast

More often than not, turncoat spies are successfully recruited as one-offs, through serendipity and dumb luck.

From The Daily Beast

The notes variously called him a turncoat, a RINO, a traitor, or worse.

From The Daily Beast

But for many Republicans today, this quality makes him something of a turncoat.

From The Daily Beast

Yet another Republican turncoat, Powell obviously endorsed Obama twice.

From The Daily Beast

The reader now knows that the pity thus bestowed upon that pitiful fox-hunting turncoat was utterly thrown away.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Scott is an honest man, and naturally thinks me a hypocrite and turncoat as well as a fool.

From Project Gutenberg

He had no desire to be addressed by his name before this precarious mob already mad with rage at a turncoat.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, 'tis the man who allowed the rebels to seize Southsea Castle, the same who was hand in glove with the turncoat, Goring.

From Project Gutenberg

He realized the weight of misery this pathetic turncoat might expect thereafter at the hands of Britt and his crew of “Busters.”

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• defector
• informer