Synonyms for

Treacherous

Verb / ˈtretʃɜ:ʌs / Another word for treacherous — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

deceptive or dangerous

Synonyms & similar words

unreliable perfidious punic deceitful fraudulent unreliable untrustworthy tricky sneaky slippery perfidious disloyal faithless traitorous double-crossing backstabbing two-faced duplicitous devious unfaithful betraying faithless dishonest

Synonyms by register

Formal

perilous hazardous precarious dangerous

Informal

sketchy risky dicey shady

Literary

insidious deceitful guileful

Antonyms

safe reliable trustworthy secure dependable loyal honest

Common collocations

  • treacherous path
  • treacherous waters
  • treacherous terrain
  • treacherous conditions
  • treacherous smile
  • treacherous individual
  • treacherous undertaking

Word family

noun treachery
adjective treacherous
adverb treacherously

Usage note

Can refer to physical danger (e.g., treacherous ice) or betrayal/deceit (e.g., a treacherous friend). The latter often implies a violation of trust.

Example sentences

  1. The weather turned treacherous as we started our hike up the mountain.
  2. The water in the river can be treacherous during a storm.
  3. The treacherous politician betrayed his own party.
  4. The path through the forest was treacherous with fallen leaves.
  5. The ice on the pond was treacherous and slippery.

Quotes

  • The treacherous are ever distrustful.
  • The treacherous, they make no sound but the wind.
  • The treacherous are only treacherous; they betray themselves and others.

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