noun
traitor
TRAY-tur/ˈtreɪtər/
A person who betrays a duty of loyalty to someone or something.
The group considers anyone who reveals its secrets a traitor.
Etymology
A traitor is literally a person who “hands over,” with delivery becoming betrayal of a trust. The word came to apply especially to someone who violates allegiance to a ruler or country.
In context
Norway after their invasion launched in April 1940 there was a Norwegian collaborationist movement: the Nasjonal Samling led by Vidkun Quisling. The name of this leader became a synonym for traitor.
More examples
- The spy is exposed as a traitor to her country.
- He calls me a traitor for sharing his private messages.
- Our fans jokingly call players who join rival teams traitors.
Forms
traitor · traitors
traitorous adjective — Showing betrayal of someone owed loyalty.
Similar words
- betrayer
- Emphasizes the act of breaking trust rather than disloyal identity.
- turncoat
- Specifically describes someone who switches to an opposing side.