traitor

USAGE SUMMARY

'traitor' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used to refer to someone who betrays their country, their friends, or their loyalty. For example: "The spy was convicted of being a traitor to his own country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Political discourse

Historical analysis

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Traitor was a barb he must have expected; he has also been branded a self-serving twerp (by the former head of MI5 Stella Rimington), a naive narcissist, and perhaps strangest of all, a cross-dressing Little Red Riding Hood (in the Washington Post).

The Guardian

Accepting the term means "you're persecuted as a national traitor", said Grigory Melkonyants, co-chair of the Golos Association, the only independent election watchdog in Russia, which was the first NGO added to the list of foreign agents in 2013.

The Guardian

He's being asked, in different constructions, how it feels to be a traitor.

The Guardian

Arguments over Snowden's motives, whether he is a whistleblower or a traitor, whether his disclosures have damaged the agencies or just embarrassed them, may never be reconciled.

The Guardian

You are called a "fascist" and a "traitor", and there will be times when you ask yourself why you are doing this, he says.

The Guardian

It could be counter-productive in a house increasingly peopled by Tory MPs who had been taught to regard him as a traitor and by Labour ones who thought, wrongly, that he was almost one of them.

The Guardian

Trimble strategists have also deployed the arguments of other republicans - who would regard O'Callaghan as a traitor to the cause.

The Guardian

The government has tried to tar Anwar as "traitor" to his race in the sort of rhetoric that is anathema to the former deputy prime minister.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another melee followed, with some journalists and policemen in the courtroom calling Morsi a traitor.

The Guardian

Years ago, when gay rights were still an issue, the news would have seen him vilified as a traitor to the cause.

The Guardian - Film

His fellow inmates start to suspect he's a stool pigeon for their German captors, so Sefton takes it upon himself to find the real traitor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or formal writing, ensure you distinguish between the emotional label of a "traitor" and the actual crime of treason, which has specific statutory requirements.

Common error

A common mistake is labeling someone a "traitor" simply because they disagree with a government or majority opinion. This word implies a breach of trust or legal allegiance; using it for mere dissent can lead to hyperbole and factual inaccuracy.

Linguistic Context

The word "traitor" functions as a count noun in English. It identifies an individual who has committed the act of treason or violated a trust. According to Ludwig AI, it is most often used as a predicate nominative or the object of a verb to label a person's status following a specific action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Political discourse

10%

Historical writing

5%

Less common in

Scientific literature

0.5%

Technical manuals

0.5%

Business reporting

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "traitor" is a powerful and grammatically stable noun used to describe individuals who violate their allegiance. As evidenced by Ludwig, its usage is ubiquitous in high-quality journalism, particularly when discussing political scandals, espionage, or historical figures like Benedict Arnold. While synonyms like "betrayer" or "turncoat" exist, "traitor" remains the standard term for formal contexts involving national or organizational loyalty. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent appearance in debates regarding figures like Edward Snowden, illustrating that while the word is grammatically correct, its application is often a subject of intense public debate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

betrayer

Direct synonym focusing on the act of betrayal rather than the status of the individual.

turncoat

Specifically emphasizes the act of switching sides or changing affiliations.

double-crosser

More informal and emphasizes deceiving someone after making an agreement.

renegade

Suggests a person who has deserted a cause or group to join the opposition.

apostate

Restricted to the abandonment of religious or political principles.

quisling

A highly specific eponym for a traitor who serves as a puppet for an invader.

defector

A more neutral or technical term for someone who leaves their country for another.

backstabber

Informal and typically used for personal betrayals among friends or colleagues.

collaborator

Carries a specific historical connotation of helping an occupying enemy force.

mole

Metaphorical term for a secret agent who joins an organization to betray its secrets.

FAQs

How do I use "traitor" in a sentence?

You can use it to identify someone who has betrayed their group, such as in the sentence: "He was branded a "national traitor" for leaking classified documents."

What is the difference between "traitor" and "turncoat"?

While both refer to betrayal, a "turncoat" specifically implies someone who switches their loyalties to the opposite side, whereas a "traitor" may simply betray their own side without necessarily joining the enemy.

What can I say instead of "traitor"?

Depending on the context, you could use "betrayer", "double-crosser", or "renegade".

Is "traitor" a formal word?

Yes, it is a standard English noun used in both formal legal contexts and neutral news reporting. It is frequently seen in high-quality sources like "The Economist" and "The Guardian".