a turncoat

USAGE SUMMARY

"a turncoat" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who betrays their allegiance or loyalty to a group or cause. Example: "After years of loyalty, he became a turncoat and joined the opposing party." Alternative expressions include "traitor" and "defector."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Political Commentary

Historical Analysis

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

And he wasn't a turncoat.

The New Yorker

You're a turncoat.

The Guardian - Music

Felix regarded him as a turncoat, much as Bill regarded Felix as a turncoat.

The New Yorker

"Better to die a turncoat than a Mafioso," he said.

Independent

The Workers Partyy radicals denounced him as a turncoat.

The Economist

His legacy will be that of a turncoat".

The New York Times

The alt-right sees him as a turncoat.

The New Yorker

Instead he alleges that Rosemond himself is a "turncoat rat".

The Guardian - Music

"I don't want to be perceived as a turncoat," Tobias said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Maybe I was regarded as a turncoat by this guy.

The New York Times

Facing life imprisonment on murder and racketeering charges, Anthony Salvatore Casso agreed in 1994 to become a turncoat witness for the government in exchange for a lenient sentence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase is particularly effective in political or ideological narratives to highlight a dramatic shift in loyalty.

Common error

Avoid using "a turncoat" when the emphasis is solely on the harm caused by the betrayal. While a turncoat is a type of traitor, the word specifically evokes the act of 'turning one's coat'—literally showing a different uniform color—to represent a visible change in alliance.

Linguistic Context

As a noun phrase, "a turncoat" typically functions as a subject complement or a direct object in a sentence. It serves as a classifying label for an individual. Ludwig AI identifies this structure as standard and grammatically sound across all documented instances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Political Commentary

10%

History & Biographies

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Technical Documentation

1%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a turncoat" is a robust and evocative noun phrase used to identify someone who has abandoned their group or principles for an opposing side. Ludwig AI data reveals that it is Very common in high-prestige journalism, particularly when discussing political shifts, historical figures like Benedict Arnold, or sports rivalries. With an expert rating of 5.0, it is confirmed as a grammatically correct and stylistically effective choice. While similar to "a traitor", it uniquely highlights the visible act of changing alliances. Writers should employ it when they wish to focus on the transition from one loyalty to another.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a traitor

implies a broader act of betrayal against a country or cause, often with harmful intent

a defector

more technical, specifically used when someone leaves one country or organization for an opposing one

a renegade

suggests someone who rejects conventional behavior or abandons a group to act independently

a betrayer

a more general term for someone who breaks a trust or confidence

a double-crosser

emphasizes the element of deceit and trickery involved in the betrayal

an apostate

specifically used for someone who renounces a religious or political belief

a quisling

a highly specific historical term for a traitor who collaborates with an invading enemy

a backstabber

a more informal and emotional term for personal betrayal

a deserter

implies the act of abandoning a duty or post, particularly in a military context

a collaborator

focuses on the act of working with the enemy rather than just leaving the original group

FAQs

How to use "a turncoat" in a sentence?

You can use it to label a person who has switched sides, for example: "After the scandal, the senator was labeled "a turncoat" by his former supporters."

What can I say instead of "a turncoat"?

You can use alternatives like "a traitor", "a defector", or "a renegade" depending on the context.

Is "a turncoat" a formal or informal term?

The term is generally neutral to formal. It is frequently found in high-quality journalism like "The New York Times" and "The Economist".

What is the difference between "a turncoat" and "a defector"?

While both describe leaving a group, "a defector" is often a more neutral or official term for someone fleeing a country, while "a turncoat" carries a more pejorative connotation of shifting loyalty for convenience.