as in treachery
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another
a reality TV show that seems to have raised backstabbing to an art form
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in betraying
to be unfaithful or disloyal to
knew what it felt like to be backstabbed by a so-called friend
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backstabbing
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
26 Feb. 2026
This 2000s teen drama has relationship drama, backstabbing, layered characters, and an ominous blogger to chronicle it all.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
This 2000s teen drama delivers relationship drama, backstabbing, layered characters, and an ominous anonymous blogger chronicling all of it.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Just like there’s always a backstabbing, troublemaking entity in any reality TV girl gang, a cat brings the side-eye, the discontent, the flair for the dramatic.
—
Lena Dunham,
Vanity Fair,
11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backstabbing
Noun
The lying, backstabbing and manipulation the game inspires does indeed make for delightful TV viewing.
—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
26 Feb. 2026
This 2000s teen drama has relationship drama, backstabbing, layered characters, and an ominous blogger to chronicle it all.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
This 2000s teen drama delivers relationship drama, backstabbing, layered characters, and an ominous anonymous blogger chronicling all of it.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Just like there’s always a backstabbing, troublemaking entity in any reality TV girl gang, a cat brings the side-eye, the discontent, the flair for the dramatic.
—
Lena Dunham,
Vanity Fair,
11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backstabbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstabbing
Noun
-
This is not treachery but the truest and noblest affection.
-
Peacock’s adventures in treachery The Traitors was the top dog, scoring five prizes including Best Competition Series and Best Host for Alan Cumming.
Verb
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Even worse, physician groups betraying the public’s trust out of fear of government retaliation has permanent consequences, especially when the government’s actions have since been deemed unconstitutional.
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Nonetheless, top venture capitalists feel then need to assure that there won’t be a mass selloff when selling opens, betraying a persistent anxiety beneath the bonanza.
Noun
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In movies, friendships end with a big blowup after there has been a significant betrayal by one party.
-
Whether discussing policing, immigration, criminal justice or foreign policy, compromise is treated as betrayal.
Cite this Entry
“Backstabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstabbing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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