treachery

[ trech-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural treach·er·ies.

1. violation of faith; betrayal of trust; treason.

   Antonyms: loyalty

2. an act of perfidy, faithlessness, or treason.

treachery

/ ˈtrɛtʃərɪ /

noun

1. the act or an instance of wilful betrayal
2. the disposition to betray

Word History and Origins

Origin of treachery¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English trecherie, from Middle French, Old French, from trech(ier) “to deceive” ( trick ) + -erie -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of treachery¹

C13: from Old French trecherie , from trechier to cheat; compare trick

Synonym Study

See disloyalty.

Example Sentences

But in their raging against “woke” military elites, Hegseth and Trump are not merely concerned with diversity, equality and inclusion: no, liberal treachery, in their view, extends to the laws of war and the demands that U.S. soldiers comply with them.

From Salon

However, he warned of what he called “Israeli treachery” and said Lebanese authorities were “pleading... for international bodies to stand fast in defence of Baalbek's Roman ruins”.

From BBC

“Laziness, as well as characteristics of submissiveness, backwardness, lewdness, treachery, and dishonesty, historically became stereotypes assigned to African Americans,” the National Museum of African American History and Culture explains.

From Salon

What makes it worse today is that Obama is joined in his short-sighted treachery by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., reportedly busy “working the phones” to get Biden out of the race, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who reportedly told Biden to his face that he ought to step aside.

From Salon

“The treachery of your tears is no use to fight injustice,” read one.

From New York Times

Related Words

• betrayal
• infidelity
• treason