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

Press play below to learn more about Wells’ treachery, and to get a sneak peek at the fugitive interacting with her latest target. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 7 Apr. 2025

Sinners is one of the great vampire movies of the modern age, mining the legend of these perpetual outsiders who desperately yearn to belong, but whose silky promises are rooted in treachery. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Apr. 2025

But the most intriguing finish—and the most on-brand level of treachery from Heyman—would be Paul stabbing both Roman and Punk in the back for Rollins. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Sinners is about vampires, perpetual outsiders who desperately yearn to belong, but whose silky promises are rooted in treachery. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Apr. 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