disloyalty

[ dis-loi-uhl-tee ]

noun

, plural dis·loy·al·ties.

1. the quality of being disloyal; lack of loyalty; unfaithfulness.

   Synonyms: subversion

2. violation of allegiance or duty, as to a government.
3. a disloyal act.

disloyalty

/ dɪsˈlɔɪəltɪ /

noun

1. the condition or an instance of being unfaithful or disloyal

Word History and Origins

Origin of disloyalty¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French desloiaute, Old French desleaute, equivalent to desleal disloyal + -te -ty ²

Synonym Study

Disloyalty, perfidy, treachery, treason imply betrayal of trust. Disloyalty applies to any violation of loyalty, whether to a person, a cause, or one's country, and whether in thought or in deeds: to suspect disloyalty in a friend. Perfidy implies deliberate breaking of faith or of one's pledges and promises, on which others are relying: It is an act of perfidy to cheat innocent people. Treachery implies being secretly traitorous but seeming friendly and loyal: In treachery deceit is added to disloyalty. Treason is performing overt acts to help the enemies of one's country or government: Acting to aid a hostile power is treason.

Example Sentences

Trump has also made repeatedly antisemitic comments suggesting that Jewish Americans who do not support him are traitors who will be collectively punished by his regime for their “disloyalty.”

From Salon

He simultaneously promises to keep them safe from outsider threats and vows vengeance against anyone, including his supporters, should they show disloyalty to him.

From Salon

He also accused of Kemp’s wife, Marty, who months earlier told a reporter she planned to write in Kemp’s name for president, of disloyalty.

From Los Angeles Times

The sticks are kidnapping and torture of those suspected of disloyalty by Venezuelan and Cuban counterintelligence agents.

From Los Angeles Times

She doesn’t want to be accused of disloyalty to the president she admires but equally doesn’t want to be seen as complicit if Democrats suffer huge losses under Mr Biden in November’s election.

From BBC

Related Words

• breach of trust
• infidelity
• sedition
• treachery
• treason