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treachery

noun
treach·​ery | \ ˈtre-chÉ™-rÄ“ How to pronounce treachery (audio) , ˈtrech-rÄ“\
plural treacheries

Definition of treachery

1 : violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence : treason
2 : an act of perfidy or treason
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about treachery

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Examples of treachery in a Sentence

a tale of treachery and revenge was furious that she revealed his secret and never forgave her for the treachery

Recent Examples on the Web

 Wizard Costume for Kids Ask Harry Potter: Dark magic and treachery is genderless. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, Good Housekeeping, "5 Easy DIY Witch Costume Ideas for Halloween," 29 July 2019 As the author tells us, the truffle business is characterized by small-scale treachery and large-scale fraud. — Eugenia Bone, WSJ, "‘The Truffle Underground’ Review: Malice and Mushrooms," 10 July 2019 Even within the treacheries plotted by the villain, Don John, Tedesco keeps the tone light and airy. — nola.com, "Wittiness and romance make ‘Much Ado’ quite something at Tulane Shakespeare Fest," 19 June 2019 Drunken shouts, parochial boasts, empty words cannot conceal the treachery. — Amos Oz, Harper's magazine, "Setting the World to Rights," 10 Apr. 2019 Ma’s treachery represents Hollywood progressivism gone wrong. — Armond White, National Review, "Ma’s Black-Mammy Stereotypes Capture the Illiberal Spirit," 7 June 2019 While the original satirized the treachery of French aristocracy during the Ancien Régime, its ’90s counterpart tackles the insular world of Manhattan’s prep schools and Upper East Side. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Cruel Intentions Is Still a Teenage Fashion Dream 20 Years On," 22 Mar. 2019 The American people cannot withstand that kind of treachery before that kind of secret court in an ex parte proceeding. — Fox News, "McCarthy: Mueller is pursuing obstruction case against Trump," 21 Aug. 2018 The author challenges the popular argument that a privileged upbringing was the root of their treachery. — Helen Fry, WSJ, "‘Enemies Within’ Review: Traitors to Their Class," 13 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'treachery.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of treachery

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for treachery

Middle English trecherie, from Anglo-French, from trecher, tricher to deceive, from Vulgar Latin *triccare — more at trick entry 1

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More Definitions for treachery

treachery

noun
How to pronounce treachery (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of treachery

: harmful things that are done usually secretly to a friend, your own country, etc.
: an act of harming someone who trusts you

See the full definition for treachery in the English Language Learners Dictionary

treachery

noun
treach·​ery | \ ˈtre-chÉ™-rÄ“ How to pronounce treachery (audio) \
plural treacheries

Kids Definition of treachery

1 : the behavior of a person who betrays trust or faith a tale of treachery and revenge
2 : an act or instance of betraying trust or faith She was hurt by her friend's treacheries.

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More from Merriam-Webster on treachery

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with treachery

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for treachery

Spanish Central: Translation of treachery

Nglish: Translation of treachery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of treachery for Arabic Speakers

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