Judas

noun

Ju·​das ˈjü-dəs 

1

a

: the apostle who in the Gospel accounts betrayed Jesus

b

: a son of James and one of the twelve apostles

2

: traitor

especially : one who betrays under the guise of friendship

3

not capitalized : peephole

called also judas hole, judas window

Synonyms

• apostate
• backstabber
• betrayer
• double-crosser
• double-dealer
• quisling
• recreant
• serpent
• snake
• traitor
• turncoat

Examples of Judas in a Sentence

He was called a Judas by the press.

she heatedly called her best friend a Judas after she found out her secrets had been spread all over town

Recent Examples on the Web

But with this show, Wolfram's classmates at the all-girl Catholic high school will take on the roles of Pontius Pilate, King Harrod, and the Apostles in the story of the last seven days of Jesus’s life, as told through the eyes of his betrayer, Judas Iscariot. —Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024

Gaga retells the story of Judas Iscariot through the eyes of a Mary Magdalene torn between Jesus and Judas, love and temptation, aggressive verses and dazzling melodic choruses. —Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024

We’re sometimes referred to as B leaguers instead of A leaguers like the mighty Van Halen or Judas Priest—some of my favorite bands of all time. —Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2024

Seemingly every other person dresses in denim shorts and band T-shirts—Slayer, Megadeth, Pantera, AC/DC, Metallica, Judas Priest, Van Halen, Black Sabbath. —Sean Williams, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek Ioudas, from Hebrew Yĕhūdhāh

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing Judas

• Judas Iscariot
• Judas tree