1
as in infidelity
lack of faithfulness especially to one's husband or wife
his wife's perfidy was a moment of uncharacteristic weakness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in treachery
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another
the full cost—both in compromised intelligence and in human life—of the double agent's perfidy is not yet known
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perfidy
Despite high trade deficits, the U.S. economy is strong
Trump and his advisers point to America’s lopsided trade numbers—year after year of huge deficits—as proof of foreigners’ perfidy.
—
Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Jane’s fiercely unforgiving tone was adopted by militant Irish nationalists for whom the famine stood as the ultimate proof of English perfidy.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
But what Neil is accused of is something well beyond cunning or perfidy or faithlessness, well beyond questionable morality.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
Those intrepid few who still clung to the belief that American perfidy shielded Duke’s players from true justice just had the rug pulled out from under them by Mangum herself.
—The Editors, National Review, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Jane’s fiercely unforgiving tone was adopted by militant Irish nationalists for whom the famine stood as the ultimate proof of English perfidy.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
But what Neil is accused of is something well beyond cunning or perfidy or faithlessness, well beyond questionable morality.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
Those intrepid few who still clung to the belief that American perfidy shielded Duke’s players from true justice just had the rug pulled out from under them by Mangum herself.
—The Editors, National Review, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfidy
Noun
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Because sometimes, the slow erosion of a relationship isn’t caused by infidelity at all, but by the quiet ache of a partner who gives just enough to get by.—
Essence,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The emotional record, shared alongside a video and lyrics posted to Instagram, hears Thugger addressing infidelity, loyalty, fractured friendships, while taking full accountability for his mistakes.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When does compromise become treachery or defeat?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
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Could Juno be behind this treachery, as payback for David destroying her spy corporation and for changing his oldest daughter into a killer?—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In addition, Swazi law has a different definition of adultery for men and for women.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Certain artistic genres were employed to publicize and critique changes to laws regarding adultery and divorce.—
Smithsonian Magazine,
Smithsonian Magazine,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
The sense of shock and betrayal is palpable in the Qatari capital.—
Paula Hancocks,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Watching the actors sign language through glee, heartache, torment and even betrayal makes for some stunning scene work.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
A lot of disloyalty this season with lots of empty words.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Kennedy defended his top aide Stefanie Spear, who has been targeted by Loomer, over her seeming disloyalty to Trump.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The main opposition party, CHADEMA, was disqualified in April and its leader Tundu Lissu remains in custody after he was charged with treason for demanding electoral reforms.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Ksenia Mironova copes with the absence of her fiancé, also a journalist, who is in prison on charges of treason.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perfidy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfidy. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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