Perfidy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈpər-fə-dē/ per·fi·dy

Meaning & Definition of Perfidy

Perfidy (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being faithless or disloyal, treachery
  2. an act or an instance of disloyalty

Perfidy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lack of faithfulness especially to one's husband or wife

    "his wife's perfidy was a moment of uncharacteristic weakness"

    similar: disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, infidelity, perfidiousness, unfaithfulness
    related: adultery, betrayal, double cross, double-dealing, duplicity, sellout, treachery, treason, deceit, deception, lying
    opposite: allegiance, constancy, devotedness, devotion, faith, faithfulness, fealty, fidelity, loyalty
    near: staunchness, steadfastness, dependability, reliability, honesty, trustworthiness

  2. the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another

    "the full cost—both in compromised intelligence and in human life—of the double agent's perfidy is not yet known"

    similar: backstabbing, betrayal, business, disloyalty, double cross, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, infidelity, sellout, treachery, treason, two-timing, unfaithfulness
    related: abandonment, desertion, deceit, deception, double-dealing, duplicity, guile, two-facedness, fraud, informing, lying, snitching, talebearing, trickery
    opposite: allegiance, devotion, faithfulness, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, staunchness, steadfastness
    near: dependability, reliability, trustworthiness, defense, protection, safeguard, shield

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Perfidy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Perfidy:

disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, infidelity, perfidiousness, unfaithfulness, backstabbing, betrayal, business, double cross, sellout, treachery, treason, two-timing

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Perfidy

Words with the opposite meaning of Perfidy:

allegiance, constancy, devotedness, devotion, faith, faithfulness, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, staunchness, steadfastness

Related Words for Perfidy

adultery, double-dealing, duplicity, deceit, deception, lying, abandonment, desertion, guile, two-facedness, fraud, informing, snitching, talebearing, trickery

Near Antonyms of Perfidy

dependability, reliability, honesty, trustworthiness, defense, protection, safeguard, shield

Word Forms of Perfidy

Inflections: perfidies

Origin & Etymology of Perfidy

Latin perfidia, from perfidus faithless, from per- detrimental to + fides faith per-, faith

First known use: 1592

Frequently Asked Questions about Perfidy

What does "Perfidy" mean?

"Perfidy" means the quality or state of being faithless or disloyal, treachery. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being faithless or disloyal, treachery. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Perfidy"?

Other words for "Perfidy" include disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, infidelity, perfidiousness and unfaithfulness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Perfidy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Perfidy"?

There are 31 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Perfidy". Common alternatives include disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, infidelity, perfidiousness, unfaithfulness, backstabbing and betrayal.

What is the opposite of "Perfidy"?

Antonyms of "Perfidy" include allegiance, constancy, devotedness, devotion, faith, faithfulness, fealty and fidelity. Near antonyms include dependability, reliability, honesty and trustworthiness.

How do you use "Perfidy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Perfidy" in a sentence: "his wife's perfidy was a moment of uncharacteristic weakness"; "the full cost—both in compromised intelligence and in human life—of the double agent's perfidy is not yet known".

Is "Perfidy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Perfidy" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Perfidy"?

"Perfidy" is pronounced /ˈpər-fə-dē/ and divided into syllables as per·fi·dy.

What is the origin of the word "Perfidy"?

"Perfidy" comes from Latin perfidia, from perfidus faithless, from per- detrimental to + fides faith per-, faith. First known use: 1592.