turncoat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turncoat" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who betrays their allegiance or loyalty, especially in a political or military context. An example: "After years of serving the party, he became a turncoat and joined the opposition." Alternative expressions include "traitor," "defector," and "betrayer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There, Australia will still likely be viewed internationally by many as a climate change turncoat.

The Guardian

To his old party he was a turncoat, to his new one something of a foreign body: a banker's son, rather too obviously convinced that he knew best, and inclined to irritate less brainy comrades with such habits as quoting Rilke in French.

The Economist

Last month Peter, John senior's older brother, was sentenced to 25 years in jail for ordering a failed hit on a Mafia turncoat called Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, who helped convict his brother.

The Economist

The other, under a turncoat Polish general, marched alongside the Red Army.

The Economist

It was thanks to one such turncoat that American helicopters on Wednesday rescued the eight western aid workers held by the Taliban for "spreading Christianity .In Washington and London, government officials seemed keen this week to emphasise that the war was not over, nor the danger from al-Qaeda.

The Economist

Many Russians still thought of him as a rebel; rebels saw him as a turncoat.

The Economist

They suspect he is either a naive turncoat or a sophisticated fraud.Yet it is just possible that Sir John saw the stand-off over global warming as a brilliant business opportunity waiting to be seized.

The Economist

Mr Kadyrov was loathed by the various Chechen separatist warlords as a turncoat who had deserted the pro-independence cause to join forces with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

The Economist

Critics attack Mr Bercow's weakness for self-promotion, shared by his wife, Sally, who has appeared in reality television shows and posed for the tabloid press clad only in a bedsheet.Some think him a political turncoat.

The Economist

Using copied hard drives, turncoat witnesses, bank records and scenes cut from "Crude", the company demonstrates to Mr Kaplan's satisfaction that the legal team led by Mr Donziger had coerced the Ecuadorean judges into letting them ghostwrite both an "independent" expert report and much of the final ruling.

The Economist

Ms Gillard's appointment in late 2011 of Mr Slipper, a turncoat Liberal, deprived the opposition of a vote.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place "turncoat" attributively before a noun, such as 'a turncoat general' or 'a turncoat witness', to concisely describe both the person's status and their history of defection.

Common error

Do not attempt to use "turncoat" as a verb (e.g., 'he turncoated against us'). While it sounds plausible, it is not standard. Instead, use a verb phrase like "to defect", "to switch sides" or "to change allegiance".

Linguistic Context

As analyzed by Ludwig, "turncoat" functions primarily as a count noun identifying an individual who changes their allegiance or party. Its grammatical structure allows it to serve as the head of a noun phrase or as an attributive modifier. Ludwig AI indicates it is rarely seen in plural forms compared to the singular, highlighting its focus on individual actors in narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

12%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

To conclude, "turncoat" is a well-established noun in the English language used to describe a person who deserts one cause or party to join an opposing one. Analysis from Ludwig AI shows that the term is particularly prevalent in high-quality journalism and historical documentation, where it serves as a powerful descriptor for political defectors and military traitors. While the word is undeniably derogatory, its precision in defining the act of switching sides makes it indispensable for writers. By using it correctly, you can add descriptive depth to narratives involving betrayal and shifting loyalties, provided you avoid using it incorrectly as a verb.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

traitor

carries a more severe legal and moral weight of betrayal against one's country or cause

defector

specifically denotes someone who leaves one country or political party for another, often an opposing one

renegade

implies a more rebellious or lawless rejection of former principles or groups

apostate

refers specifically to a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle

deserter

focuses on the act of abandoning a post or military duty without permission

quisling

a highly derogatory term for a citizen who collaborates with an enemy occupying force

double-crosser

a more informal term suggesting personal deception and the betrayal of a partner

fifth columnist

describes a person who works secretly from within a group to undermine it for an enemy

collaborator

usually refers to someone assisting an enemy, especially an occupying power

ratter

an informal and highly insulting British term for someone who deserts their associates

FAQs

How do I use "turncoat" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun to describe someone who switches sides, for example: 'The political party was shaken when a prominent leader became a turncoat and joined the opposition'.

What is a more formal way to say "turncoat"?

In formal or political writing, you can use terms like "defector" or "apostate" depending on whether the betrayal is political or ideological.

Is "turncoat" an offensive term?

Yes, it is generally derogatory as it implies a lack of integrity. If you want to remain neutral, consider using "former affiliate" or "one who changed allegiance".

What's the difference between "turncoat" and "traitor"?

A "traitor" is anyone who betrays their country or trust, while a "turncoat" specifically refers to someone who flips their previous allegiance to join the opposing side.