turncoat
5 synonyms for turncoat, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who betrays their former group, cause, or allegiance to join the opposing side.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use turncoat
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
branded a turncoat
act like a turncoat
Etymology
A compound of "turn" and "coat," reportedly from the old military trick of wearing a reversible coat lined in a different color to switch sides visually.
Full origin of turncoat →Frequently asked questions
What does “turncoat” mean?
The word “turncoat” means a person who betrays their former group, cause, or allegiance to join the opposing side. In plain terms, someone who flips loyalty and joins the opposing side, seen as a betrayer by their old allies.
How do you pronounce “turncoat”?
“Turncoat” is pronounced TUHN-koht (/ˈtɝn.koʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “turncoat” in a sentence?
Here is “turncoat” used in a sentence: “His old comrades branded him a turncoat after he switched political parties.”
What part of speech is “turncoat”?
“Turncoat” is a noun.
