Synonym Chooser

How is the word disloyal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of disloyal are faithless, false, perfidious, traitorous, and treacherous. While all these words mean "untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance," disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country.

disloyal to their country

Where would faithless be a reasonable alternative to disloyal?

The words faithless and disloyal can be used in similar contexts, but faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty.

faithless allies

When would false be a good substitute for disloyal?

Although the words false and disloyal have much in common, false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery.

betrayed by false friends

How are the words perfidious and faithless related as synonyms of disloyal?

Perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability.

a perfidious double-crosser

When is it sensible to use traitorous instead of disloyal?

In some situations, the words traitorous and disloyal are roughly equivalent. However, traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust.

traitorous acts punishable by death

When might treacherous be a better fit than disloyal?

The words treacherous and disloyal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.

a treacherous adviser

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of disloyal Among the people blacklisted were some of those linked to Project 2025, some who resigned from Trump’s administration after the Jan. 6 riot, and others perceived as disloyal to Trump. Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Oct. 2024 Several Biden aides have joined Harris' campaign, but some feel like they've been labeled as disloyal by Biden's team for leaving or even considering it. Alex Thompson, Axios, 13 Oct. 2024 Stop labeling those who don’t support you as crazy or disloyal. David Jackson, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024 So, too, were many of the network’s viewers, who fled to Newsmax and One America News after Donald Trump denounced Fox News as disloyal. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disloyal 

Thesaurus Entries Near disloyal

Cite this Entry

“Disloyal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disloyal. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on disloyal

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