1
as in infidelity
lack of faithfulness especially to one's husband or wife
his wife's perfidy was a moment of uncharacteristic weakness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in treachery
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another
the full cost—both in compromised intelligence and in human life—of the double agent's perfidy is not yet known
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perfidy
But what Neil is accused of is something well beyond cunning or perfidy or faithlessness, well beyond questionable morality.
—
Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
Those intrepid few who still clung to the belief that American perfidy shielded Duke’s players from true justice just had the rug pulled out from under them by Mangum herself.
—The Editors, National Review, 17 Dec. 2024
All of these glinty and high-relief performances leave the central figure seeming—despite his own foul perfidies—not exactly innocent, but without control.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
Jane’s fiercely unforgiving tone was adopted by militant Irish nationalists for whom the famine stood as the ultimate proof of English perfidy.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
Those intrepid few who still clung to the belief that American perfidy shielded Duke’s players from true justice just had the rug pulled out from under them by Mangum herself.
—The Editors, National Review, 17 Dec. 2024
All of these glinty and high-relief performances leave the central figure seeming—despite his own foul perfidies—not exactly innocent, but without control.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
Jane’s fiercely unforgiving tone was adopted by militant Irish nationalists for whom the famine stood as the ultimate proof of English perfidy.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfidy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfidy
Noun
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Researchers set out to explore why public reactions to celebrity infidelity vary so widely.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
The source also claimed that there were multiple instances of infidelity.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The six-parter, to debut July 14, follows six groups of friends, and six historical cases of murder and treachery among them.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2025
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But amid the bloodbaths and treacheries, Westeros still penciled in time for a little romance — some more compelling than others (Jon and Ygritte > Jon and Daenerys).—
Tyler Aquilina,
EW.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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After Swaggart accused Gorman of adultery, Gorman hired a private investigator who followed Swaggart and took the photographs in New Orleans that ignited the scandal.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
1 July 2025
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Every look with such an irregular desire is in our Savior’s opinion a virtual adultery. . . .—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
Noun
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In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
-
This year’s cast delivered all the twists and betrayals fans expect, and also helped create something unexpected: a new kind of community event.—
Cynthia Salinas Cappellano,
CNN Money,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Trump, the most unrelenting figure in American politics, doesn't forgive disloyalty.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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More cunningly, this also serves to instill you with guilt: as though refusing to align with their viewpoints equates to a signal of disloyalty.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Given the current political climate globally, Heads of State offers a humorous and outlandish perspective on poignant themes like foreign relations, government security breaches, and treason.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
3 July 2025
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Denaturalization is rare but possible in cases of treason or crimes.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perfidy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfidy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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