1 treacherous | Definition of treacherous
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treacherous

adjective
treach·​er·​ous | \ ˈtre-chÉ™-rÉ™s How to pronounce treacherous (audio) , ˈtrech-rÉ™s\

Definition of treacherous

1a : likely to betray trust : unreliable a treacherous memory
b : providing insecure footing or support treacherous quicksand
c : marked by hidden dangers, hazards, or perils
2 : characterized by or manifesting treachery : perfidious
Other Words from treacherous Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about treacherous

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Other Words from treacherous

treacherously adverb
treacherousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for treacherous

faithless, false, disloyal, traitorous, treacherous, perfidious mean untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance. faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty. faithless allies false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery. betrayed by false friends disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country. disloyal to their country traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust. traitorous acts punishable by death treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence. a treacherous adviser perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability. a perfidious double-crosser

Examples of treacherous in a Sentence

a treacherous act of betrayal They were not prepared to hike over such treacherous terrain. The snow made their hike all the more treacherous. Discussions about money can lead couples into treacherous territory.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Yet Mr Walsh is plunging into the treacherous waters of primarying a sitting president, all the same. — The Economist, "Joe Walsh’s long-shot bid to dethrone Donald Trump," 29 Aug. 2019 Gordon's 17-year-old son reported that his father vanished Feb. 25 after going for a nighttime swim in treacherous waters in Monterey. — CBS News, "Scottish rape suspect who apparently faked death at California's "Mortuary Beach" is arrested," 27 July 2019 Increasingly too, children are making the treacherous journey. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Fear, bribes, gangs, coyotes: A Guatemalan’s trek to the US," 30 July 2019 There’d be a painting showing a ship ascending into the clouds and a plaque describing the treacherous journey there. — Jacob Kastrenakes, The Verge, "Elon Musk wanted The Onion; he got Thud," 2 July 2019 After five years, approximately 5,000 Steinhardt-Hollister emails and a treacherous journey to the barren arctic tundra of northeastern Russia, the mystery has only deepened. — Quanta Magazine, "In a Grain, a Glimpse of the Cosmos," 13 June 2014 Nevertheless, the position of front-runner is historically treacherous in Conservative Party leadership races that, over the decades, have invariably produced upset winners. — Stephen Castle, New York Times, "Boris Johnson Shows Strength in Conservative Leadership Contest," 13 June 2019 Nevertheless, the position of front-runner is historically treacherous in Conservative Party leadership races that, over the decades, have invariably produced upset winners. — Stephen Castle, BostonGlobe.com, "Boris Johnson shows strength in Conservative leadership balloting," 13 June 2019 The route is known to be treacherous even in good weather, as climbers face a steep ascent and risk from avalanches, crevasses and rockfalls. — Asia Fields, The Seattle Times, "4 climbers stranded on treacherous Mount Rainier route, heavy snow expected," 6 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'treacherous.' 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 treacherous

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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More Definitions for treacherous

treacherous

adjective
How to pronounce treacherous (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of treacherous

: not able to be trusted : showing that someone cannot be trusted
: very dangerous and difficult to deal with

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

treacherous

adjective
treach·​er·​ous | \ ˈtre-chÉ™-rÉ™s How to pronounce treacherous (audio) \

Kids Definition of treacherous

1 : not safe because of hidden dangers This was a treacherous road at night …— John Reynolds Gardiner, Stone Fox
2 : not trustworthy : guilty of betrayal or likely to betray a treacherous enemy

Other Words from treacherous

treacherously adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on treacherous

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with treacherous

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for treacherous

Spanish Central: Translation of treacherous

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