treachery
betrayal of trust or loyalty
The act of hurting someone who trusted you, by not being loyal to them.
an act of treachery by [someone] against [someone/something]
- His decision to sell company secrets was seen as a shocking act of treachery.
- She never forgave her friend for the treachery of revealing her darkest secret.
- History remembers his signature on the enemy treaty as pure treachery.
- The general was executed for treachery after secretly helping the opposing army.
- In the novel, the hero is destroyed by the treachery of his most trusted advisor.
- He felt deep pain after his brother's treachery.
- Telling the enemy our plan would be treachery.
- The king punished the man for his treachery.
- Her treachery broke the team's trust.
- They called his move an act of treachery.
deceptive and hidden danger
The way something is secretly dangerous, even if it looks safe.
the treachery of [something]
- Sailors feared the treachery of the reef, which lay just below the calm surface of the water.
- They underestimated the treachery of the mountain path and were caught in a sudden rockslide.
- The documentary showed the treachery of thin ice that looks solid but breaks without warning.
- Writers often describe the treachery of the desert sun, which slowly weakens travelers.
- He warned us about the treachery of memory, which can quietly change details over time.
- The treachery of the river surprised the new swimmers.
- We did not see the treachery of the road until the car slid on the black ice.
- Hikers must respect the treachery of the high mountains.
- The captain knew the treachery of these waters.
- The teacher spoke about the treachery of memory in old age.
- Base: treachery
- Plural: treacheries, treachery
accused of treachery
1said to have committed treachery
Used when people say someone has done treachery, often in a serious or official way.
- Several officers were accused of treachery after the failed coup.
- Anyone who questioned the leader was quickly accused of treachery.
an act of treachery
1a single event of betrayal
One specific action where someone is not loyal and hurts a person or group that trusted them.
- Handing over the secret documents was an act of treachery.
- The coach called leaving the team before the final an unforgivable act of treachery.
betrayal and treachery
1disloyalty and serious betrayal
Strong language used to talk about people being very disloyal and breaking trust in a serious way.
- The film is a dark story of love, betrayal and treachery.
- Newspapers described the scandal as a tale of betrayal and treachery at the highest level.
guilty of treachery
1having committed an act of treachery
Used when someone is said to really have done treachery, not just been accused of it.
- He was found guilty of treachery and sentenced to life in prison.
- History has judged him guilty of treachery against his own people.
treachery and deceit
1betrayal together with dishonesty
A phrase that talks about both strong betrayal and lying or cheating.
- The novel follows a family destroyed by treachery and deceit.
- The report exposed years of treachery and deceit inside the company.