BACKSTABBING Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

backstabbing 1 of 2

noun

ˈbak-ˌsta-biŋ

Definition of backstabbing

as in treachery

the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another a reality TV show that seems to have raised backstabbing to an art form

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

backstabbing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of backstab

as in betraying

to be unfaithful or disloyal to knew what it felt like to be backstabbed by a so-called friend

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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 backstabbing

Noun

An odd introduction to a game of manipulation and backstabbing, perhaps, but that is the duality of Survivor. — Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026 This is the high-stakes intrigue of alliances, diplomacy, secrets, backstabbing, love, lies and drama that keep the world running and sometimes threaten to stop it. — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026 The lying, backstabbing and manipulation the game inspires does indeed make for delightful TV viewing. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026 This 2000s teen drama delivers relationship drama, backstabbing, layered characters, and an ominous anonymous blogger chronicling all of it. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backstabbing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstabbing

Noun

The killings and his six-week trial in 2023 captivated the true crime world with a mix of treachery, corruption, money, power and Southern accents.

— Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
The killings of Murdaugh’s wife and son and his subsequent six-week trial captivated the true crime world with a mix of treachery, corruption, money, power and Southern accents.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of treachery

Verb

Season one struggled to incorporate all of those elements of Lee without either forgiving or betraying his flaws.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
The mayor faced criticism on Wednesday both from Jewish groups for his focus on Israel’s military campaign in Gaza on the anniversary and from pro-Palestinian protesters who accused the mayor of betraying the cause.

— Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of betraying

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backstabbers

backstabbing

backstabbings

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“Backstabbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstabbing. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of backstabbing

noun

verb

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