backstabber

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backstabber" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who betrays a friend or colleague, often in a deceitful manner. Example: "I can't believe she would spread those rumors; she's such a backstabber." Alternative expressions include "traitor" and "two-faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Fans had been waiting for months to unleash their anger, to call James a traitor and a backstabber and a fraud at close range.

The New York Times - Sports

Rattled by Kejriwal's popularity, Modi has taken to the campaign trail, portraying his rival as a backstabber who betrayed voters last time round by quitting so early.

The Guardian

He's already turned up in The Australian with his private campaign submission – virtually at least – characterising her as a backstabber driven by ambition.

The Guardian

Would you mind being compared to Gollum, the slimy, bulged-eyed backstabber from JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fantasy novels?

The Guardian - Books

And how all the intelligent, reasonable people who want to leave the EU must feel, to find themselves siding with the likes of Nigel Farage, George Galloway, Michael Gove and Boris Johnson (who has now proved, beyond doubt, to be the ruthlessly ambitious, manipulative, scheming backstabber we long suspected he was, not some harmless buffoon).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She manages at once to be ruthless and vulnerable, icy and amiable, backstabber and benefactor, to keep us on our toes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

OK, they have their little squabbles and backstabbers, and Major had his "bastards", but when it comes to it, they go out and vote for their leaders, even if they do have crazed policies and look fairly deranged.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fearful of backstabbers, the Crown Prince who was sidelined after the arrival of Saudi tanks torpedoed an earlier, aborted attempt at US-brokered negotiations profusely thanked the British government for its support, but pointedly not the more openly pro-reform Americans.

The Economist

He later resigned from Ukip, claiming he was "sick of internal backstabbers".

Independent

There are no statesmen, only petty backstabbers who never forget a slight, are willing to sell out almost any principle when it's convenient, and are chiefly driven by the aggrandizement of their own power.

The New Yorker

Given early disarray in the Chicago mayor's race, we should be grateful for the first chapter of State Senator Rickey R. Hendon's most recent book, "Backstabbers," a critically acclaimed (by me) non-bestseller on American politics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this term for contexts involving personal relationships, workplace politics, or narrative storytelling where the emotional weight of betrayal is relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "backstabber" as a simple synonym for a liar. A person is only a "backstabber" if they have previously gained the victim's trust or presented themselves as an ally before the betrayal occurred. If no relationship or trust existed, terms like "adversary" or "opponent" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

As a noun, "backstabber" functions as a derogatory label for an individual. According to Ludwig, it is used to characterize someone who feigns friendship while secretly working against others. It often acts as the subject or object of sentences describing interpersonal conflict.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Arts & Entertainment

10%

General Reference

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "backstabber" is a potent noun used to describe a person who violates trust through deceit. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in journalistic and everyday contexts. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media, appearing in high-profile articles to describe political betrayals or character archetypes in fiction. While it is a common word, writers should be mindful of its informal tone and ensure it is applied only when a prior relationship of trust existed. For more formal needs, alternatives like "betrayer" or "traitor" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

traitor

more formal and often carries political or legal weight regarding the betrayal of a country or cause

snake in the grass

an idiomatic expression emphasizing the hidden and treacherous nature of the person

double-crosser

specifically denotes someone who deceives by acting for both sides or by breaking an agreement

betrayer

a more dramatic and literary synonym that encompasses any act of violated trust

two-faced person

focuses on the hypocrisy of showing different sides to different people

judas

a biblical allusion that signifies a high level of personal betrayal

turncoat

implies switching sides or loyalties, particularly in a conflict or organization

deceiver

a broader term that applies to any form of lying or misleading behavior

hypocrite

emphasizes the discrepancy between a person's claims and their true actions or character

informer

specifically refers to someone who gives secret information to authorities or enemies

FAQs

How do I use "backstabber" in a sentence?

You can use it to identify a person who has betrayed you, for example: "I thought we were friends, but his actions proved he is a "backstabber"." Use it as a noun to label the individual's character.

What can I say instead of "backstabber"?

Depending on the severity and context, you can use terms like "traitor", "double-crosser", or the idiom "snake in the grass".

Is "backstabber" considered formal English?

No, "backstabber" is generally considered informal or neutral. In highly formal academic or legal writing, it is better to use "perfidious individual" or "traitor".

What's the difference between a "backstabber" and a "traitor"?

A "backstabber" usually refers to personal or office betrayals, while "traitor" is often used for betrayal of a country, a movement, or a larger cause.