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quisling

quisling

2 9.9
A person who helps an enemy that controls their country
  • noun
  • /ˈkwɪz.lɪŋ/
  • Offensive
translation icon : colaboracionista
  • It is rather fashionable to describe political opponents as traitors and quislings.

Examples

  • Then, there are those who point to the black quisling David Alexander as an example of friendship.

    Blog text (5)
  • By this time, there isn't a single person in this town who doesn't know that you're a quisling.

  • Does Washington really think the locals will accept any quisling we put in charge of them?

    Blog text (30)
  • Some quisling must have told the Germans the guns were buried in our gardens.

  • Not long ago, in Trondheim, they helped a quisling to get across the border.

  • But in Stoksund, they were betrayed by a quisling.

  • I have no sympathy for quislings, whatever their nationality.

    Blog text (29)
  • Your land shall be cleansed not only from the invader but from the filthy quislings who are his tools.

  • Many people lost their lives because of the actions of a quisling who aided the enemy.

  • During the invasion, some locals acted as quislings, betraying their neighbors for personal gain.

Synonyms

traitor
vsquisling
  • Offensive
381 3.9

A person who breaks the trust of their country, group, or friend to help an enemy

specifically points to cooperation with an occupying enemy rather than general betrayal
collaborator
vsquisling
  • Offensive
18 8.1

A person who helps an enemy that occupies their country during a war

is described as definite betrayal rather than sometimes merely regarded so
turncoat
vsquisling
  • Offensive
13 8.2

A person who leaves their group to join the opposite side

involves working with an occupying enemy specifically rather than merely changing sides
fifth columnist
vsquisling
1 9.9

A person who secretly helps an enemy inside their country

refers more to open cooperation with an occupying force rather than secret aid
treacher
vsquisling
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who betrays trust or their country

is the modern label for betrayal involving cooperation with an occupying enemy
collaborationist
vsquisling
1 9.9

A person who helps an enemy that occupies their country during war

can apply to accused cooperation whether willingness is clear or not
treasonist
vsquisling
  • Formal
9.9

A person who betrays their country by giving secrets to enemies

focuses on cooperating with an occupying enemy rather than legal treason acts broadly

Antonyms

224 3.5

Someone who loves and supports their country and is ready to serve it

42 4.8

A person who supports a government, leader, or cause during a revolt

How Treacherous

traitor
  • Offensive
381 3.9
quisling
  • Offensive
2 9.9
collaborator
  • Offensive
18 8.1
sympathizer
37 4.8

Surface Forms

quisling singular
quislings plural

Etymology

Quisling comes from the name of a Norwegian politician, Vidkun Quisling, who helped the German forces when they took over Norway in World War II. Because he betrayed his country, his name became a word for a 'traitor', someone who works with the 'enemy'.