double-cross

1 of 2

verb

dou·​ble-cross ˌdə-bəl-ˈkrȯs 

double-crossed; double-crossing; double-crosses

transitive verb

: to deceive by double-dealing : betray

double-crosser noun

double cross

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an act of winning or trying to win a fight or match after agreeing to lose it

b

: an act of betraying or cheating an associate

2

: a cross between first-generation hybrids of four separate inbred lines (as in the production of hybrid seed corn)

Synonyms

Verb

• backstab
• betray
• cross
• sell (out)
• two-time

Noun

• backstabbing
• betrayal
• business
• disloyalty
• faithlessness
• falseness
• falsity
• infidelity
• perfidy
• sellout
• treachery
• treason
• two-timing
• unfaithfulness

Examples of double-cross in a Sentence

Verb

she promised to share the profits but then double-crossed us

Noun

politics is full of double crosses and backbiting

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

However, Hye-jin and Jung-ja are soon double-crossed by Sung-jip. —Kayti Burt, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024

Only time will tell if this is a genuine strategic alliance or another double-cross in the making. —Andy Andersen, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024

Noun

Listen to this article A Connecticut man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2016 deaths of a man and a woman shot in the North End of Hartford following a double cross scheme that involved drugs and a gun. —Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 22 July 2024

When Josue double crosses his employers, he is executed for his betrayal. —Scott Phillips, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

double cross

noun

: an act of betraying or cheating especially an associate

double-cross

ˌdəb-əl-ˈkrȯs

verb

double-crosser noun