treasonist

9.9

A person who betrays their country by giving secrets to enemies

noun
/ˈtriːzənɪst/

Formal

: traidor

As a treasonist, she faced severe penalties for her actions against the government.

Examples

Many considered him a treasonist after he collaborated with foreign powers to undermine national security.
Treasonist is the only way to describe you.

Blog text (24)
The judge declared him a treasonist for leaking classified information to enemy agents.

Synonyms

traitor

vstreasonist

Offensive

381 3.9

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

focuses specifically on active criminal betrayal against the country

renegade

vstreasonist

46 7.9

A person who leaves and betrays their group

is specifically about criminal betrayal of the nation rather than general rebellion

defector

vstreasonist

43 7.6

A person who leaves their country or group to join an opposing side

involves direct hostile acts against national loyalty rather than mere defection

betrayer

vstreasonist

26 6.3

A person who breaks someone's trust by revealing secrets

is limited to clear acts that attack national allegiance

collaborator

vstreasonist

Offensive

18 8.1

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

involves active betrayal of the country through hostile actions

double agent

vstreasonist

18 4.9

A spy who secretly works for two opposing sides while pretending to help one and giving secrets to the other

is broader, covering open criminal betrayal of national loyalty rather than espionage roles

turncoat

vstreasonist

Offensive

13 8.2

A person who leaves their group to join the opposite side

is about committing severe betrayal against the country rather than switching sides

double-crosser

vstreasonist

Offensive

2 6.8

A person who pretends to be loyal but betrays someone

involves public acts against the country rather than personal deception alone

quisling

vstreasonist

Offensive

2 9.9

A person who helps an enemy that controls their country

betrays the country through direct criminal acts against national loyalty

ratter

vstreasonist

Offensive

2 9.9

A person who betrays their friends or group

is a more serious act aimed specifically at harming the country

fifth columnist

vstreasonist

1 9.9

A person who secretly helps an enemy inside their country

involves open or direct actions against national loyalty rather than secret support

treacher

vstreasonist

Offensive

1 9.9

A person who betrays trust or their country

refers to modern, legally serious betrayal against the nation

collaborationist

vstreasonist

1 9.9

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

betrays national allegiance by committing hostile acts rather than just cooperating

recreant

vstreasonist

Offensive

1 9.9

A person who is not brave and betrays friends or causes

involves deliberate, high‑level betrayal against national loyalty rather than cowardice

seditionist

vstreasonist

Formal

1 9.4

A person who encourages others to rebel against the government or other authority

involves active betrayal by acting for an enemy rather than promoting rebellion

traitress

vstreasonist

Archaic

9.9

A woman who betrays people or groups she should support

is gender neutral and denotes active criminal betrayal of the nation

Antonyms

patriot

224 3.5

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

How Treasonous

treasonist

Formal

9.9

traitor

Offensive

381 3.9

turncoat

Offensive

13 8.2

betrayer

26 6.3

Surface Forms

treasonist singular

treasonists plural

Morphology

treasonist = treason (transparent) = treason + ist

The meaning 'a person who commits/engages in treason' follows directly from 'treason' + the agentive suffix '-ist', so the relation is easily inferable.

Etymology

Treasonist comes from the word treason, which goes back to an old Latin word tradere meaning 'to hand over' or 'betray', the same idea behind the word traitor. So a treasonist is someone who betrays their country.