turncoat

noun

turn·​coat ˈtərn-ˌkōt How to pronounce turncoat (audio)
: one who switches to an opposing side or party
specifically : traitor

Examples of turncoat in a Sentence

the plot of the story revolved around the gangster's relentless determination to learn the identity of the turncoat
Recent Examples on the Web Listen to this article Rep. Jerry Nadler Friday derided Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu as the worst leader of the Jewish people since an infamous Biblical turncoat. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 3 May 2024 Now he’s got his hands on the turncoat who killed his newfound surrogate son and an audience with his enemy’s senior adviser. Andy Andersen, Vulture, 8 Feb. 2024 Hours before the film was screened at 3 Dollar Bill, a Brooklyn nightclub, a state court judge ruled that the prosecution’s star witness — Mr. Trump’s long-ago fixer and eventual turncoat Michael Cohen — could testify at the upcoming trial despite the former president’s objections. Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Historically, the San Patricios, led by Irish native John Riley, have been valorized as unsung heroes and criticized as turncoats. Sarah Quiñones Wolfson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for turncoat 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'turncoat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of turncoat was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near turncoat

Cite this Entry

“Turncoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turncoat. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

turncoat

noun
turn·​coat ˈtərn-ˌkōt How to pronounce turncoat (audio)
: a person on one side who goes over to the other

More from Merriam-Webster on turncoat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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