perfidious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'perfidious' is correct and usable in written English.
The word means 'deceitful, untrustworthy, or disloyal'. You can use the word to describe someone or something that has or is exhibiting this type of behavior. For example, "She was described as a perfidious friend who was willing to take advantage of her companions at any cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is, of course, the traditional role of the perfidious Anglo-American world in the French imagination.

The Guardian

The self-styled elder statesman of the far-right, who remains a FN MEP and regional councillor, told Europe 1 radio on Tuesday his daughter had behaved in a scandalous and perfidious manner towards him and that he now totally disowned her.

The Guardian

Both the Mindanao business council and the Mindanao Economic Development Council recently issued manifestos claiming that despite the conflict and the hostage drama businessmen remain bullish on the island's economic prospects.NOEL CABRERAOffice of the press secretaryManilaSIR Poor Stephen Byers obviously has not been reading his Echelon intercepts ("Those perfidious Anglo spies", April 29th).

The Economist

Others, dismayed by this sleight-of-hand, were left muttering darkly about Albion's perfidious tactics.The Turks must now turn to the tougher problem of actually getting in.

The Economist

And Mr Bush is about to put into action the words of the Marseillaise Tremble, tyrants and perfidious people The shame of all good men, Tremble!

The Economist

The benefits of technology have a perfidious habit of flowing to the users not the inventors.

The Economist

On this reading, it was designed to demonstrate the scope of the murderers and to send a hair-raising message to Litvinenko's friends in London, and perhaps also to his perfidious British hosts.

The Economist

But those perfidious Germans and French also rallied round America, invoking for the first time Article 5 of the NATO treaty (on mutual self-defence) and stepping up intelligence co-operation.Indeed, the difference in warmth has largely been on America's side.

The Economist

Farther along the Caspian shore, Azerbaijan, with American know-how, is developing its oilfields far more dynamically; Iran's productivity rate has plummeted.In the face of such gloomy contrasts, Iran cannot make up its mind whether to co-operate with the perfidious infidel West to save its economic skin and strengthen its security, or to keep its Islamist soul unsullied.

The Economist

Why the hurry?In this section Nawaz the bold A state of confusion Demo of death Perfidious Marianne Cleansing job China's new tipple ReprintsOne reason is that he feels Deve Gowda, the prime minister, is using police investigations and the threat of prosecution to cow top Congress leaders into submission.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hence the new British cosiness with the old couple.Perfidious AlbionBut what is in it for the French and Germans?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfidious" when you want to emphasize the betrayal of trust or allegiance. It carries a stronger connotation than simply 'disloyal'.

Common error

While "perfidious" is a valid word, it can sound overly dramatic or formal in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler words like "deceitful" or "disloyal" in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "perfidious" primarily functions to describe nouns, indicating a quality of deceitfulness or disloyalty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and features in numerous examples, highlighting its descriptive capability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perfidious" is an adjective used to describe something or someone deceitful and untrustworthy, specifically highlighting the violation of trust or allegiance. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently used. While its register is generally neutral, it carries a stronger connotation than simple disloyalty. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it is commonly found in news and media, and encyclopedic sources. Related terms include "treacherous", "disloyal", and "deceitful", each with slightly different nuances. When employing "perfidious", ensure the context calls for a term that emphasizes betrayal, and be mindful of overuse in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

treacherous

Implies betrayal of trust, often in a dangerous way.

disloyal

Indicates a failure to remain faithful to a person, cause, or belief.

unfaithful

Suggests a violation of trust, particularly in personal relationships or commitments.

deceitful

Focuses on the use of deception to mislead or betray.

betraying

Highlights the act of betraying someone's trust or confidence.

traitorous

Implies active betrayal, often of one's country or a group to which one belongs.

false-hearted

An archaic term suggesting insincerity and disloyalty.

two-faced

Describes someone who says one thing to one person and another to someone else.

untrustworthy

Indicates a lack of reliability and honesty.

insidious

Suggests a subtle or gradual form of treachery, often with harmful effects.

FAQs

How can I use "perfidious" in a sentence?

You can use "perfidious" to describe someone or something that is deceitful and untrustworthy. For example, "The "perfidious ally" betrayed their long-standing agreement."

What's the difference between "perfidious" and "treacherous"?

"Perfidious" emphasizes the violation of trust or allegiance, while "treacherous" highlights the dangerous or hazardous nature of the betrayal. While closely related, "treacherous" often implies a higher level of danger.

What are some synonyms for "perfidious"?

Some synonyms for "perfidious" include "disloyal", "treacherous", "unfaithful", and "deceitful". Choose the synonym that best fits the specific context.

Is "perfidious" a formal word?

Yes, "perfidious" is generally considered a more formal and literary word. It's more common in writing and formal speech than in casual conversation.