disloyalty

American  

[dis-loi-uhl-tee] / dɪsˈlɔɪ əl ti /

noun

plural

disloyalties

1. the quality of being disloyal; lack of loyalty; unfaithfulness.

   Synonyms:

   subversion

2. violation of allegiance or duty, as to a government.

3. a disloyal act.

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disloyalty British  

/ dɪsˈlɔɪəltɪ /

noun

1. the condition or an instance of being unfaithful or disloyal

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Related Words

Disloyalty, perfidy, treachery, treason imply betrayal of trust. Disloyalty applies to any violation of loyalty, whether to a person, a cause, or one's country, and whether in thought or in deeds: to suspect disloyalty in a friend. Perfidy implies deliberate breaking of faith or of one's pledges and promises, on which others are relying: It is an act of perfidy to cheat innocent people. Treachery implies being secretly traitorous but seeming friendly and loyal: In treachery deceit is added to disloyalty. Treason is performing overt acts to help the enemies of one's country or government: Acting to aid a hostile power is treason.

Etymology

Origin of disloyalty

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French desloiaute, Old French desleaute, equivalent to desleal disloyal + -te -ty ²

Example Sentences

This is a novel about pettiness, middle-class superficiality, disloyalty, prejudice and cruelty, with this coterie of rather vile friends acting as a microcosm for a society in decline.

From The Wall Street Journal

"It is a gross act of disloyalty within the European Union," he said.

From BBC

It is also possible that some voters will dislike any whiff of disloyalty and division and express themselves accordingly.

From BBC

“I dunno,” I mumble, feeling a cold wave of disloyalty wash over me.

From Literature

“It’s too bad, sort of disloyalty, but they got to do what they think is right.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• breach of trust
• infidelity
• sedition
• treachery
• treason