ratfink
3 synonyms for ratfink, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Someone who betrays others by informing on them or spying, a traitor.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Someone who betrays others by informing on them or spying, a traitor.
“The first factor is labeled the "Ratfink" factor. This factor consists only of items that measure whether a boy would give information to various adult figures if one of his friends were in trouble.”
2. noun
(informal) A thoroughly unpleasant or despicable person.
“I started not to write the sad story of what happened to these two outstanding soldiers because I didn't want to convey the mistaken impression that the ratfinks they ran into were typical of the fine soldiers who fought in Vietnam.”
Etymology
Formed from rat and fink.
Full origin of ratfink →