treacherous

adjective

treach·​er·​ous ˈtre-chə-rəs How to pronounce treacherous (audio)
ˈtrech-rəs
1
a
: 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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The match ended when Heyman turned on both Punk and Reigns with a pair of treacherous low blows on each. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025 In February, Star residents and City Council members clashed over competing needs for a new school and improvements to a treacherous road, with the school proposal winning out. Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2025 Mendoza was part of a team of Navy SEALs who, one day in November 2006, were sent into an apartment building in Ramadi province, Iraq, on a treacherous surveillance mission. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Apr. 2025 Gaining access to the caves was a treacherous task. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for treacherous

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of treacherous was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Treacherous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treacherous. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

treacherous

adjective
treach·​er·​ous ˈtrech-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce treacherous (audio)
1
a
: guilty of treachery
b
: likely to betray : unreliable
a treacherous memory
2
: giving a false appearance of safety or solidity
a treacherous stretch of bog
treacherously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on treacherous

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