1
as in infidelity
lack of faithfulness especially to one's husband or wife
his wife's perfidy was a moment of uncharacteristic weakness
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2
as in treachery
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another
the full cost—both in compromised intelligence and in human life—of the double agent's perfidy is not yet known
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perfidy
To Netanyahu’s supporters urging restraint by Israel is an act of perfidy, rather than an instance of a president upholding his oath to protect American interests.
—
Ben Krull, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2024
Drawing on American foreign policy circa 9/11 and the Iraq War, these pieces were huge collages of perfidies that Weinberger fashioned into a narrative of governmental misdeeds.
—Wyatt Mason, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
For a regime that has staked much of its credibility and political future on the war in Ukraine, Putin and his Kremlin allies need to keep the domestic focus on the perfidy of the foes next door.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
London audiences welcomed a scathing romp about the perfidies of global capitalism.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perfidy 
Ben Krull, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2024
Drawing on American foreign policy circa 9/11 and the Iraq War, these pieces were huge collages of perfidies that Weinberger fashioned into a narrative of governmental misdeeds.
—Wyatt Mason, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
For a regime that has staked much of its credibility and political future on the war in Ukraine, Putin and his Kremlin allies need to keep the domestic focus on the perfidy of the foes next door.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
London audiences welcomed a scathing romp about the perfidies of global capitalism.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perfidy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfidy
Noun
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On a broader scale, the widespread prevalence of financial infidelity also reflects gaps in financial literacy and communication, underscoring the need for better education and resources to address these issues.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
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That lack of communication can contribute to financial infidelity, when one or both partners lie about or hide financial information.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This would be immediately followed by my dad standing up, racing over to my uncle, and sometimes grabbing him by the collar to stop him from completing an action that in their eyes seemed to be an act of utter betrayal and treachery.—
Wayne Chan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
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Welcome back for another season full of [Alan Cumming voice] deception, backstabbing and treachery!—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The article included other remarks related to Carter’s faith − such as the importance of the separation of church and state, a conviction born of Carter’s Southern Baptist upbringing − but the adultery comment opened a rift with Carter’s kin in Christ.—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
31 Dec. 2024
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Here’s what to know about the legal proceedings of adultery in Texas.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American-Statesman,
9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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After Rifaat’s betrayal, the anointed was Bassel, the crown prince.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
27 Jan. 2025
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Recommended Trump moves from ‘American carnage’ to ‘a horrible betrayal’ in second inaugural Juries also convicted some on charges of seditious conspiracy, which refers to activities that undermine a state without directly attacking it.—
Patrik Jonsson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Emanuel also happens to be Trump’s former agent, making the president regard Emanuel’s campaign contributions as an even greater magnitude of disloyalty, this source says.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2025
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These statements triggered significant backlash, including accusations of disloyalty and social media campaigns to discredit her.—
Andy Biggs,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Under South Korean law, a sitting president has immunity from most criminal prosecutions, but the privilege does not extend to allegations of insurrection or treason.—
Yoonjung Seo,
CNN,
26 Jan. 2025
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Yoon has presidential immunity from most criminal prosecutions, but the privilege does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Perfidy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfidy. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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