treachery

noun

treach·​ery ˈtre-chə-rē 

ˈtrech-rē

plural treacheries

1

: violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence : treason

2

: an act of perfidy or treason

Synonyms

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

Examples of treachery in a Sentence

a tale of treachery and revenge

was furious that she revealed his secret and never forgave her for the treachery

Recent Examples on the Web

Because of that treachery Castor was a pure mortal, but Pollux was a half god. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025

After weeks of treachery and deception, the final roundtable has been viewed, and the winner or winners for The Traitors Season 3 have been revealed. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025

Clay’s Dad, Trevor Photo: Netflix It cannot be said enough that the root of so much of this season’s strife between AD and Clay can be traced back to one man’s flagrant disregard for his marital vows, and his inexplicable decision to involve his kids in the treachery. —Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2024

His greatest dream, beside destroying Nato from within, is dividing the west and China - as a return favor for the treachery of Nixon’s demarche. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English trecherie, from Anglo-French, from trecher, tricher to deceive, from Vulgar Latin *triccare — more at trick entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for treachery

• lechery

Kids Definition

treachery

noun

treach·​ery ˈtrech-(ə-)rē 

plural treacheries

1

: violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence : treason

2

: an act of treason