quisling

[kwiz-ling]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR quisling ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who betrays his or her own country by aiding an invading enemy, often serving later in a puppet government; fifth columnist.

Origin of quisling

1940; after Vidkun Quisling (1887–1945), pro-Nazi Norwegian leader

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for quisling

sympathizer, deserter, double-crosser, turncoat, betrayer, defector, collaborator, Judas, two-timer, colluder

Examples from the Web for quisling

Contemporary Examples of quisling

He also attacked what he called "quisling Republicans" currently in the Senate.
Texas Congressman's Obama Barfbag
Ben Jacobs
December 17, 2013

Historical Examples of quisling

Stan resolved that he was going to be one guest who fooled the Dutch Quisling.
A Yankee Flier Over Berlin
Al Avery
Stan was beginning to get the idea that the Dutch Quisling disliked the military.
A Yankee Flier Over Berlin
Al Avery
Those who were destined for execution as soon as a quisling government was formed, were also not entitled to depart on the liner.
Talents, Incorporated
William Fitzgerald Jenkins

British Dictionary definitions for quisling

quisling

noun

a traitor who aids an occupying enemy force; collaborator

Word Origin for quisling

C20: after Major Vidkun Quisling (1887–1945), Norwegian collaborator with the Nazis

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for quisling

1940, from Vidkun Quisling (1887-1945), Norwegian fascist politician who headed the puppet government during the German occupation of Norway in World War II; shot for treason after German defeat. First used in London Times of April 15, 1940, in a Swedish context.