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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perfidy
More recently, an al Qaeda operative and suspected mastermind behind the 2000 USS Cole bombing — in which suicide bombers sidled up alongside a US warship, waved to the sailors and then detonated explosives — was charged with perfidy, among other crimes.
—
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
The report has raised concerns of perfidy, an act of deception by military forces.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Ever since, the president and his closest allies haven’t stopped trying to repackage the perfidy as patriotism.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
The ignorance, the hubris, the lies, the perfidy.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
The report has raised concerns of perfidy, an act of deception by military forces.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Ever since, the president and his closest allies haven’t stopped trying to repackage the perfidy as patriotism.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
The ignorance, the hubris, the lies, the perfidy.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfidy
Noun
-
At one point, Gates testified that Epstein used his infidelity to his wife Melinda Gates to try to keep their relationship intact.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
10 June 2026
-
Betrayals and scandals like this are endemic to reality TV; the Bravoverse in particular is still living in the long shadow of 2023’s Scandoval, the tectonic collapse inside Vanderpump Rules that was also fueled by inter-group infidelity.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Peacock’s adventures in treachery The Traitors was the top dog, scoring five prizes including Best Competition Series and Best Host for Alan Cumming.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
-
Upon learning of Ava’s treachery, Deborah HOWLS.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The filings alleged adultery as the reason behind the divorce.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
-
Public opinion is against adultery.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Noun
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In terms of the season finale, Harris was intent on treating that betrayal not as an obstacle quickly overcome, but that would set the stage for a new beginning for the characters.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
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In season 3, Joe must walk the line between duty and her home life, as hidden networks, foreign operatives, and personal betrayals collide.—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Doubt starts to feel like disloyalty.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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Discontent with congressional inaction also became an issue in Massie’s primary, as what was long celebrated as independence and principle was instead framed as disloyalty, grandstanding, and mindless obstructionism.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
War complicates the domestic front, turning any dissent into treason.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
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On this day in 1964, eight activist leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment for treason, sabotage, and conspiracy against South Africa’s apartheid government.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perfidy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfidy. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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