traitor

noun

trai·​tor ˈtrā-tər 

1

: one who betrays another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty

2

: one who commits treason

Synonyms

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

Examples of traitor in a Sentence

She has been called a traitor to the liberal party's cause.

He was a traitor who betrayed his country by selling military secrets to the enemy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Like Trump, Carlson appeals to his base by positioning himself as a class traitor—not a man of the people, exactly, but an apostate from the cosmopolitan élite. —Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024

Cumming will lead a new group of 21 traitors from across a variety of other reality series. —Anne Easton, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

He is now considered one of America’s worst traitors. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2024

Unless there’s a traitor in the midst, in which case, that player wins. —Rob Wieland, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English traytour, from Anglo-French traitre, from Latin traditor, from tradere to hand over, deliver, betray, from trans-, tra- trans- + dare to give — more at date

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing traitor

• turn traitor

Kids Definition

traitor

noun

trai·​tor ˈtrāt-ər 

1

: one who betrays another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty

2

: one who commits treason

Etymology

Middle English traitre "traitor," from early French traitre (same meaning), from Latin traditor (same meaning), derived from tradere "to hand over, betray" — related to treason see Word History at treason