treason

noun

ˈtrē-zᵊn How to pronounce treason (audio)
Definition of treasonnext
as in treachery
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another reading a friend's diary without permission would have to be regarded as the ultimate act of personal treason

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of treason The Culture Minister has accused them of treason and sought to revoke their citizenship. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 These people are opening the door to our enemies, which used to be called treason. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 But the hostility toward Jews was evident during the Dreyfus affair, which saw Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish captain in the French army, wrongly convicted of treason in 1894. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026 In Russian law, treason is understood as a form of espionage—compromising or working against the Russian state to benefit a foreign power. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for treason
Recent Examples of Synonyms for treason
  1. treachery
  2. betrayal
Noun
  • Was there a whiff of treachery among this crew, someone who might betray them to the Germans?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026
  • For his treachery in conspiring with Gwayne, Daemon claims Corlys as his own prisoner.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of treachery
Noun
  • As the formidable duo fights for the throne of Norway, the land is ripped apart by rivalries, loyalties and betrayals.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Based on a true story, the film follows a young woman whose romance with a married man sets off a dangerous chain of obsession, jealousy and betrayal.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of betrayal

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treads
treason
treasonous
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Cite this Entry

“Treason.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/treason. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on treason

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about treason

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