treachery

[trech-uh-ree]

noun

plural

treacheries 

1. violation of faith; betrayal of trust; treason.

   Antonyms: loyalty

2. an act of perfidy, faithlessness, or treason.

treachery

/ ˈtrɛtʃərɪ /

noun

1. the act or an instance of wilful betrayal

2. the disposition to betray

Word History and Origins

Origin of treachery¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English trecherie, from Middle French, Old French, from trech(ier) “to deceive” ( trick ) + -erie -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of treachery¹

C13: from Old French trecherie , from trechier to cheat; compare _trick

Synonym Study

See disloyalty.

Example Sentences

After the footage of her berating fellow councillors and using expletives was leaked to the Guardian earlier this month, Ms Kemkaran said the culprits had committed an act of "treachery".

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She branded the culprits "cowards" who had committed an act of "treachery".

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Reform UK has suspended four councillors after the leak, with Kemkaran branding those behind what happened "cowards" who had committed an act of "treachery".

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Ms Kemkaran previously said those behind the leak were "weak" and "foolish" to have committed an act of "treachery", and that a "thorough investigation" had been launched.

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In a message, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Kemkaran reportedly subsequently informed members that she had passed her "suspicions of who is responsible for this treachery to head office".

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Related Words

• betrayal 
• infidelity 
• treason