treachery

USAGE SUMMARY

The word treachery is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean something that is deliberately treacherous or disloyal. Here is an example sentence: The high school student acted with treachery when he betrayed his best friend's secret.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite Nick Clegg's treachery, stop Cameron claiming those 23 seats he needs for a majority.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Hollywood film U-571 (2000), in which the Royal Navy's capture of an Enigma machine during the second world war is falsely attributed to an American crew (including chief engineer Jon Bon Jovi), was denounced in parliament by prime minister Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Film

U Myint Aye, aged 61, from Yangon, has a long track record of peaceful political activism.

The Guardian

Referring back to her iconic look in the Nothing Compares 2 U video – a huge international hit written by Prince – O'Connor admitted that she was asked by her label to reconsider her image for the 1990s video.

The Guardian - Music

In Britain, the US and France the top 1% have over the past 100 years seen their fortunes rise and fall and rise again in a U-shaped arc.

The Guardian - Business

Of these, Brundage sa id 85% – almost 600,000 – are unemployed even though many of them are employable.

The Guardian - Business

"This time it was União da Madeira, his eighth promotion, from the second division to the first tier (or seventh if we exclude last year as he was sacked before the end of the season): P. Ferreira 90-91, Académica 96-97, U. Leiria 97-98, Belenenses 98-99, Leixões 06-07, Arouca 12-13, Moreirense 13-14 and U. Madeira 14-15.

The Guardian - Sport

The U-6 number is around 13%, Yellen says.

The Guardian - Business

But on Thursday at an EU summit in Brussels, Luxembourg performed a U-turn and promised to hand over all the tax rulings to the commission after Vestager announced she was extending her inquiry to all 28 EU countries.

The Guardian

Indeed the pressure became so intense over the past 72 hours that the government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to cut allowances for younger disabled people in the republic.

The Guardian

"I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon [cowell]," the rapper further tweeted.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "treachery" when you want to emphasize the deliberate and calculated nature of the betrayal. This word carries a stronger connotation of planning and intent compared to simpler terms like "betrayal".

Common error

Avoid using "treachery" to describe unintentional errors or accidents. "Treachery" implies a deliberate act of betrayal, not a simple oversight or mistake.

Linguistic Context

As a noun, "treachery" typically functions as the subject or object of a verb, denoting an act of deliberate betrayal. From the provided examples Ludwig highlights its common usage in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Opinion

20%

Film

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "treachery" is a noun denoting a deliberate act of betrayal, often used in formal contexts to express strong disapproval. Ludwig AI indicates that the word is correct and suitable for written English. While grammatically sound, its frequency may vary depending on the specific context. When writing, it is important to distinguish it from unintentional errors and to use it appropriately to describe calculated acts of disloyalty. Its nuanced meaning and occasional formality make it a potent term in both news reporting and more literary contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

betrayal

A more general term for breaking trust; lacks the implication of calculated planning.

perfidy

A formal and literary synonym, suggesting deceitfulness and unreliability.

disloyalty

Focuses on the failure to support or be faithful to someone or something.

infidelity

Often used in the context of marital or romantic relationships, implying a violation of vows.

breach of faith

Highlights the breaking of a promise or agreement.

double-crossing

Suggests deceiving someone you are supposedly working with.

deceit

A broader term that encompasses any form of misleading or dishonest behavior.

duplicity

Implies a deliberate concealment of one's true intentions.

backstabbing

Suggests a betrayal from someone close, often done secretly and maliciously.

sedition

Incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government.

FAQs

How is "treachery" different from "betrayal"?

"Treachery" implies a more calculated and deliberate act of breaking trust, whereas "betrayal" can be a more general term for any instance of breaking someone's trust.

What are some synonyms for "treachery"?

Synonyms for "treachery" include "betrayal", "perfidy", "disloyalty", and "deceit", each with slightly different connotations.

When is it appropriate to use the word "treachery"?

Use "treachery" when you want to highlight the calculated and intentional nature of a betrayal, especially when someone has violated a position of trust in a significant way.

Is "treachery" a formal or informal word?

"Treachery" is generally considered a formal word, suitable for serious or dramatic contexts. In more casual settings, terms like "betrayal" or "backstabbing" might be more appropriate.