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

Anyone who refuses to label a traitor to the U.S. as a traitor is completely unqualified to lead our intelligence community. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Senator Michael Bennet, D-Colo., hammered Gabbard on her refusal to characterize Snowden as a traitor. —Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025

At home the story of Norway’s infamous Nazi collaborator Vidkun Quisling, whose name has become a byword for traitor, stirred intense public debate and ended up as the third biggest Norwegian film of 2024. —Annika Pham, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025

And for those with a penchant for Camelot and reality TV competition shows, there’s also a King Arthur roundtable where residents and guests can debate which suspected traitor should be banished next. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2025

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