Treasonous Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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treasonous

[หˆtriหzษ™nษ™s ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in politics

Involving or guilty of the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill or overthrow the sovereign or government.

Synonyms

disloyal, faithless, traitorous, treacherous.

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Word Description / Examples
treasonous

Used in formal or legal settings to describe actions that betray one's country or government.

  • The president accused the general of being involved in treasonous activities
treacherous

Describes actions or people that betray trust, often with an implication of danger or deceit; can also describe dangerous physical conditions.

  • His treacherous behavior led to the downfall of the entire team
  • The mountain roads were treacherous after the storm
traitorous

Used similarly to 'treasonous', often in dramatic or literary contexts to describe someone who betrays a country or trust.

  • The traitorous soldier leaked the confidential information to the enemy
disloyal

Applied in everyday situations to describe someone who breaks loyalty or trust in personal relationships or informal settings.

  • She felt disloyal when she told her friend's secret
faithless

Mostly used in personal relationships, implying a breach of trust or infidelity.

  • He was heartbroken when he discovered his partner was faithless

Examples of usage

  • He was arrested for his treasonous activities against the government.
  • The traitor was found guilty of treasonous behavior.
Context #2 | Adjective

general

Characterized by betrayal or disloyalty.

Synonyms

faithless, false, perfidious, unfaithful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
treasonous

Used to describe actions or behavior against one's own country. It is often used in legal or political contexts.

  • The official was charged with treasonous activities against the state.
  • His treasonous actions were considered a betrayal by his fellow citizens.
unfaithful

Commonly used in the context of romantic relationships to describe someone who is not loyal or has cheated. It conveys a sense of personal betrayal.

  • He was unfaithful during their marriage, leading to their divorce.
  • She discovered his unfaithful actions through a series of messages.
perfidious

Used to describe someone who is deceitful and untrustworthy, often in a deeply treacherous way. It has a very strong negative connotation.

  • The perfidious ally betrayed them at the last moment.
  • Her perfidious nature made it difficult for anyone to trust her.
faithless

Refers to someone who is not loyal or trustworthy, often in a personal relationship. It carries a tone of disappointment and betrayal.

  • She felt heartbroken after discovering he was a faithless partner.
  • The faithless friend abandoned them in their time of need.
false

Describes something that is not true or genuine. It can apply to statements, people, or objects.

  • His promise turned out to be false.
  • The rumor was completely false and baseless.

Examples of usage

  • She felt a deep sense of betrayal after discovering his treasonous actions.
  • The company suffered greatly due to the employee's treasonous behavior.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Historical Context

  • Throughout history, many leaders have been accused of being treasonous, often leading to severe punishments.
  • Benedict Arnold, an American Revolutionary War general, is one of the most infamous figures associated with treason in U.S. history.

Legal Perspectives

  • In many countries, treason is one of the most serious crimes and can result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
  • Legal definitions of treason often include actions such as waging war against one's own country or supporting its enemies.

Pop Culture

  • In numerous films and books, the theme of treason provides intense drama, fueling stories of betrayal and moral conflict.
  • Popular characters like Jaime Lannister from 'Game of Thrones' navigate complex loyalties that could be considered treasonous.

Psychological Aspect

  • Betrayal can lead to significant emotional responses, including feelings of anger, shame, and confusion for both the betrayer and the betrayed.
  • Psychological studies suggest that acts considered treasonous can stem from deep-seated conflicts and personal disillusionment.

Origin of 'treasonous'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'traรฏson', which means betrayal.
  • It is related to the Latin word 'tradere', meaning to hand over or deliver, indicating a sense of giving up loyalty.

The word 'treasonous' dates back to the late 16th century, derived from the Latin word 'traditio' meaning 'delivery' or 'surrender'. Originally used in legal contexts to refer to actions against one's sovereign or state, it has evolved to encompass broader notions of betrayal and disloyalty.


Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,207 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.