DISLOYAL Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'disloyal' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of disloyal are faithless , false , perfidious , traitorous , and treacherous . While all these words mean "untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance," disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country. // disloyal to their country

Q: Where would 'faithless' be a reasonable alternative to 'disloyal'?

The words faithless and disloyal can be used in similar contexts, but faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty. // faithless allies

Q: When would 'false' be a good substitute for 'disloyal'?

Although the words false and disloyal have much in common, false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery. // betrayed by false friends

Q: How are the words 'perfidious' and 'faithless' related as synonyms of 'disloyal'?

Perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability. // a perfidious double-crosser

Q: When is it sensible to use 'traitorous' instead of 'disloyal'?

In some situations, the words traitorous and disloyal are roughly equivalent. However, traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust. // traitorous acts punishable by death

Q: When might 'treacherous' be a better fit than 'disloyal'?

The words treacherous and disloyal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence. // a treacherous adviser

disloyal

adjective

(ˌ)dis-ˈlȯi(-ə)l

Definition of disloyal

as in traitorous

not true in one's allegiance to someone or something we sensed that he was disloyal and would eventually turn on us

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How is the word disloyal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of disloyal are faithless, false, perfidious, traitorous, and treacherous. While all these words mean "untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance," disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country.

disloyal to their country

Where would faithless be a reasonable alternative to disloyal?

The words faithless and disloyal can be used in similar contexts, but faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty.

faithless allies

When would false be a good substitute for disloyal?

Although the words false and disloyal have much in common, false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery.

betrayed by false friends

How are the words perfidious and faithless related as synonyms of disloyal?

Perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability.

a perfidious double-crosser

When is it sensible to use traitorous instead of disloyal?

In some situations, the words traitorous and disloyal are roughly equivalent. However, traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust.

traitorous acts punishable by death

When might treacherous be a better fit than disloyal?

The words treacherous and disloyal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.

a treacherous adviser

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 disloyal The party has found a kind of rhythm, where the president breaks fundraising records, spreads the wealth around, and, in return, gets to humiliate disloyal Republicans in seats that the party can’t lose. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2026 In each instance, the President responded with sharp personal criticism of the justices, accusing some of being disloyal or unpatriotic. — Connor Greene, Time, 30 June 2026 For that independence, he is increasingly treated as a disloyal outcast by members of his own party, who continue trying to push him out of the tent. — Doug Friednash, Denver Post, 3 June 2026 The cruel cartoon of a constantly shrewish, venal, and disloyal Mary began cementing itself in the public mind when William Herndon, Lincoln’s Springfield law partner, started lecturing about his reminiscences within months of the President’s murder. — Literary Hub, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for disloyal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disloyal

Adjective

Telemachus’ lone contribution is killing Melanthius, the traitorous Ithacan farmhand, thus preventing him from continuing to arm the suitors.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 July 2026
And at the very center of Hell is Satan himself, the traitorous Archangel Lucifer, depicted as a monstrous creature with wings and three heads.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 May 2026

Definition of traitorous

Adjective

The 5,000 sailors and Marines on board have been working sustained combat operations, dealing with extension after extension and unreliable access to food, basic hygiene supplies, and mail.

— Andrea N. Goldstein, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Print editions overseas also reach service members in remote locations where internet access is spotty and unreliable.

— Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of unreliable

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dislodging

disloyal

disloyalties

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“Disloyal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disloyal. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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