turncoat

noun

turn·​coat ˈtərn-ˌkōt How to pronounce turncoat (audio)
: one who switches to an opposing side or party
specifically : traitor

Examples of turncoat in a Sentence

the plot of the story revolved around the gangster's relentless determination to learn the identity of the turncoat
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is all happening because the person who’s supposed to be leading the charge against the spread of communicable disease is something of a turncoat, instead working to increase our vulnerability to these pathogens. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025 This is less a chant and more a fireworks show celebrating the permanent expungement of all turncoats and pests. Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025 From the rioters who breached the Capitol building to the lawmakers trapped inside, from Trump-world turncoats, to the now president-elect himself, many who joined or were caught up in the riot are still living with fallout from the January 6 of four years ago. Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2025 Yikes, the generative AI has somehow gone turncoat. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for turncoat

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1566, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of turncoat was circa 1566

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turncoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turncoat. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

turncoat

noun
turn·​coat ˈtərn-ˌkōt How to pronounce turncoat (audio)
: a person on one side who goes over to the other

More from Merriam-Webster on turncoat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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