Perfidy

Quick meaning: Perfidy is a noun meaning A state or act of violating faith or allegiance; violation of a promise or vow, or of trust.

Meaning

A state or act of violating faith or allegiance; violation of a promise or vow, or of trust.

More Meanings

1. A state or act of deceit.
2. (international law, in warfare) An illegitimate act of deception, such as using symbols like the Red Cross or white flag in a false claim of surrender to gain proximity to an enemy for purposes of attack.

Example Sentences

Letterman roared about the perfidy of lying politicos.

Abuse of a protective emblem amounts to perfidy and constitutes a war crime under the customary law of armed conflict.

Stratagems must be carefully distinguished strategy from perfidy, since the former are allowed, whereas the latter is prohibited.

Ruses of war are legitimate so long as they do not involve treachery or perfidy on the part of the belligerent resorting to them.

Word Forms

• perfidies

Synonyms for perfidy

Depending on context, synonyms include betrayal, treachery, perfidiousness, double-dealing, prodition, swike.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include treachery, betrayal, perfidiousness, treason, disloyalty, faithbreach.

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