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View synonyms for turncoat

turncoat

[ turn-koht ]

noun

  1. a person who changes to the opposite party or faction, reverses principles, etc.; renegade.


turncoat

/ ˈtɜːnˌkəʊt /

noun

  1. a person who deserts one cause or party for the opposite faction; renegade
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of turncoat1

First recorded in 1550–60; origin uncertain; possibly from the practice hiding one's allegiance by turning one's coat inside out and covering one's party colors, military insignia, or heraldic badges; turn + coat
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Example Sentences

Many Poles use the term “turncoat” in a completely different way.

More often than not, turncoat spies are successfully recruited as one-offs, through serendipity and dumb luck.

The notes variously called him a turncoat, a RINO, a traitor, or worse.

But for many Republicans today, this quality makes him something of a turncoat.

Yet another Republican turncoat, Powell obviously endorsed Obama twice.

The reader now knows that the pity thus bestowed upon that pitiful fox-hunting turncoat was utterly thrown away.

Mr. Scott is an honest man, and naturally thinks me a hypocrite and turncoat as well as a fool.

He had no desire to be addressed by his name before this precarious mob already mad with rage at a turncoat.

Why, 'tis the man who allowed the rebels to seize Southsea Castle, the same who was hand in glove with the turncoat, Goring.

He realized the weight of misery this pathetic turncoat might expect thereafter at the hands of Britt and his crew of “Busters.”

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