treachery
/ˈtrɛtʃ(ə)ri
/noun (plural treacheries) [mass noun]
1Betrayal of trust: many died because of his treachery [count noun]: his distaste for plots and treacheries...
- It is a story of intrigue, deception and treachery.
- These are deliberate acts of treachery and are roundly condemned.
- Any threat to this peace must be treated as an act of treachery - a traitor's action.
Synonyms
betrayal, disloyalty, perfidy, perfidiousness, faithlessness, unfaithfulness, infidelity, bad faith, breach of trust, duplicity, deceit, deceitfulness, deception, false-heartedness, falseness, stab in the back, back-stabbing, double-dealing, untrustworthiness;
treason
informal two-timing
rare Punic faith
1.1The quality of being deceptive: the treachery of language...
- However, they were to face the most chaotic world of deception and treachery that awaits for them.
- The show reeks with tension, treachery, and posturing to gain favor.
- They claim they can help companies place higher in your rankings, but sometimes they resort to treachery.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French trecherie, from trechier 'to cheat'.
treat from Middle English:
Treat is first recorded with the meanings ‘negotiate’ and ‘discuss (a subject)’. It is from Old French traitier, from Latin tractare ‘handle’. The sense ‘event that gives great pleasure’ dates from the mid 17th century, developing via the senses ‘treatment of guests’ and the entertainment you put on for them. Late Middle English treatise is also from Old French traitier, while treaty (Late Middle English), and tract (Late Middle English) are related.