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

The first few episodes of the season, which focus on the events of Holy Week — including the Last Supper, Judas's betrayal and Jesus's arrest — premiered on Friday, and the cast is eager to see how viewers respond. —Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025

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, 19 Mar. 2025

Nations across Asia will come to the same conclusion the Europeans have already reached: America is a Judas. —David Brooks, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025

Jesus Christ Superstar is loosely based on the Gospel’s narratives during the Passion of Jesus and told from the story centered on Judas Iscariot. —Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 18 Feb. 2025

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