1
as in infidelity
lack of faithfulness especially to one's husband or wife
his wife's perfidy was a moment of uncharacteristic weakness
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perfidy
To Netanyahu’s supporters urging restraint by Israel is an act of perfidy, rather than an instance of a president upholding his oath to protect American interests.
—
Ben Krull, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2024
Drawing on American foreign policy circa 9/11 and the Iraq War, these pieces were huge collages of perfidies that Weinberger fashioned into a narrative of governmental misdeeds.
—Wyatt Mason, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
For a regime that has staked much of its credibility and political future on the war in Ukraine, Putin and his Kremlin allies need to keep the domestic focus on the perfidy of the foes next door.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
London audiences welcomed a scathing romp about the perfidies of global capitalism.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perfidy 
Ben Krull, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2024
Drawing on American foreign policy circa 9/11 and the Iraq War, these pieces were huge collages of perfidies that Weinberger fashioned into a narrative of governmental misdeeds.
—Wyatt Mason, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
For a regime that has staked much of its credibility and political future on the war in Ukraine, Putin and his Kremlin allies need to keep the domestic focus on the perfidy of the foes next door.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
London audiences welcomed a scathing romp about the perfidies of global capitalism.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perfidy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfidy
Noun
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On top of that, Hegseth had to pay for his two divorces, at least in part due to his own infidelity.—
Kyle Khan-Mullins,
Forbes,
7 Feb. 2025
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The story follows two neighbors, played by Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Maggie Cheung, who form a deep, unspoken connection after suspecting their spouses of infidelity.—
Janey Tracey,
EW.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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After a season of treachery and deception, the winner or winners of The Traitors UK Season 3 have been revealed.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2025
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This would be immediately followed by my dad standing up, racing over to my uncle, and sometimes grabbing him by the collar to stop him from completing an action that in their eyes seemed to be an act of utter betrayal and treachery.—
Wayne Chan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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At the time of the case, Bryant admitted to adultery with a 19-year-old resort hotel worker in Colorado but denied the rape allegations, always maintaining that the encounter was consensual.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
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The article included other remarks related to Carter’s faith − such as the importance of the separation of church and state, a conviction born of Carter’s Southern Baptist upbringing − but the adultery comment opened a rift with Carter’s kin in Christ.—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That betrayal then cascaded to a confused arrest, beating, and questioning by Pilate, who by then anticipated rioting.—
Lynne Silva-Breen,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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What would be the lasting effects of this betrayal from Helena, and how does that seep into how the characters feel about Helly?—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Another document, likely written by an officer, recorded acts of disloyalty by North Korean subordinates - a common practice in the totalitarian state, where citizens are encouraged to inform on each other.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
28 Jan. 2025
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Emanuel also happens to be Trump’s former agent, making the president regard Emanuel’s campaign contributions as an even greater magnitude of disloyalty, this source says.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Under South Korean law, a sitting president has immunity from most criminal prosecutions, but the privilege does not extend to allegations of insurrection or treason.—
Yoonjung Seo,
CNN,
26 Jan. 2025
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Yoon has presidential immunity from most criminal prosecutions, but the privilege does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Perfidy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfidy. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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