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 In 1990, senior West German counterintelligence official Klaus Kuron was ​exposed as a Stasi spy and later convicted of treason. — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026 The former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of treason and conducting espionage on behalf of foreign governments, in a major blow to Berlin’s security establishment. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for treason
Recent Examples of Synonyms for treason
  1. treachery
  2. betrayal
Noun
  • The killings and his six-week trial in 2023 captivated the true crime world with a mix of treachery, corruption, money, power and Southern accents.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The killings of Murdaugh’s wife and son and his subsequent six-week trial captivated the true crime world with a mix of treachery, corruption, money, power and Southern accents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of treachery
Noun
  • The boldest declarations of solidarity, Lee knows, often precede the quietest and cruellest of betrayals.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Secretly draining shared savings or hiding major debt are obvious betrayals.
    — Jenna Ryu, Washington Post, 23 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on treason

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about treason

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