backstabbing
3
6.7
- adjective
- /ˈbækˌstæbɪŋ/
- Informal
:
traicionero
- His backstabbing tactics caught everyone off guard during the project.
Anglo Saxons, when dirty backstabbing swamp creatures is literally the plot of Beowulf.
- Anglo Saxons, when dirty backstabbing swamp creatures is literally the plot of Beowulf.
Examples
-
All this proves is that the industry is evil, full of money-hungry and backstabbing people.
Blog text (6) -
That leaves a heavy indictment against every backstabbing Republican calling for Akin's summary removal.
Blog text (18) -
The wine industry, while competitive, is generally marked by a real collegiality, and it's despicable to see such shallow, backstabbing behavior on the part of Wine.com.
Blog text (30) -
At the time I left, it was not the petty, sexist, predictable crap from the male faculty that was the last straw, but the backstabbing, manipulative, toxic spew from my female advisor!
Blog text (2) -
She realized too late that her colleague's friendly demeanor hid a backstabbing nature.
-
In a backstabbing environment, it's hard to trust anyone around you.
Synonyms
197
3.9
An act of not being loyal to someone, for example telling their secrets or helping an enemy
187
2.1
An act of tricking someone to get an unfair advantage
46
7.5
To betray someone's trust or loyalty
27
4.9
To use dishonest ways to cheat people
12
6.0
Secret dishonest actions that harm or make someone look bad, often in politics and business
5
6.6
To betray someone after pretending to help them
5
7.4
An act of betraying someone who trusted you after pretending to help them
4
8.0
To try to make someone less honest or loyal
4
9.9
A dishonest act that breaks someone's trust
3
6.7
Saying unpleasant things about someone who is not present
2
7.0
Secret actions that are dishonest or unfair to get what you want
1
6.0
Doing things quietly to trick people without them noticing
1
7.5
Behaving dishonestly by pretending one thing and doing another
1
7.1
Dishonest or sneaky behaviour to get what you want
To betray someone for money or personal gain
The act of betraying your country or people by helping their enemies
Being disloyal to your country, friends, or cause
Antonyms
How Treacherous
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Backstabbing comes from the strong image of someone being hurt from behind: back means 'behind' and stab means 'to push a knife into'. A helpful way to remember it is that a backstabbing colleague looks friendly but secretly betrays you, which is why we use it for treacherous people at work.