BACKSTABBING Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

backstabbing 1 of 2

noun

ˈbak-ˌsta-biŋ

Definition of backstabbing

as in treachery

the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another a reality TV show that seems to have raised backstabbing to an art form

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

backstabbing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of backstab

as in betraying

to be unfaithful or disloyal to knew what it felt like to be backstabbed by a so-called friend

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 backstabbing

Noun

There’s a lot more backstabbing, a lot more manipulation. — Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026 This is the high-stakes intrigue of alliances, diplomacy, secrets, backstabbing, love, lies and drama that keep the world running and sometimes threaten to stop it. — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026 The lying, backstabbing and manipulation the game inspires does indeed make for delightful TV viewing. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026 This 2000s teen drama delivers relationship drama, backstabbing, layered characters, and an ominous anonymous blogger chronicling all of it. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backstabbing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstabbing

Noun

For his treachery in conspiring with Gwayne, Daemon claims Corlys as his own prisoner.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Guides spoke of the monthlong siege that ended only because of the treachery of a local noble who turned on the sultan and allowed British troops to scale the walls.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026

Definition of treachery

Verb

OpenAI battled its co-founder Elon Musk in a lawsuit accusing the company and Altman of betraying its nonprofit mission.

— Alex Heath, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Sinestro was briefly mentioned last week, as Zoe read an online article about him betraying the Lanterns, for anyone unfamiliar with the comics, the film, or the various cartoons.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of betraying

Noun

The extremely soapy, enjoyably satirical true-life drama chronicles love, rampant betrayal and a brazen murder plot through three decades of the iconic Gucci fashion house.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
That act of literary betrayal—the source of Kiyosaki’s fame and much of his wealth—is the enduring mystery of his life.

— Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of betrayal

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backstabbers

backstabbing

backstabbings

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“Backstabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstabbing. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of backstabbing

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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