quisling

American  

[kwiz-ling] / ˈkwɪz lɪŋ /

noun

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

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quisling British  

/ ˈkwɪzlɪŋ /

noun

1. a traitor who aids an occupying enemy force; collaborator

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Etymology

Origin of quisling

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

Example Sentences

An occupying Japanese army swept into Northeastern China and, under the quisling emperor Pu Yi, established the puppet state of Manchukuo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

His low-key quisling turn was entirely in character, and not nearly enough to explain the media’s collective sense of betrayal.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025

His name gave us the English word "quisling": it means a lackey, a traitor, a bootlicker.

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2021

We quickly see that Travis is a quisling, the guy the officers send out to calm down those less comfortable with occupation and imprisonment.

From New York Times • Sep. 20, 2015

The National Socialist Bond, the quisling organization of Holland, grew larger and bolder with each month of occupation.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom