What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
treasonous
Example
The spy was charged with treasonous activities against his own country. [treasonous: adjective]
Example
The general was accused of giving away classified information, which was considered a treasonous act. [treasonous: adjective]
traitorous
Example
The employee was fired for sharing confidential information with a competitor, which was considered a traitorous act. [traitorous: adjective]
Example
The politician was accused of making a traitorous deal with a foreign government to gain personal benefits. [traitorous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Traitorous is more commonly used than treasonous in everyday language. Traitorous is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while treasonous is less common and is typically used in political or military contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between treasonous and traitorous?
Both treasonous and traitorous are formal words that are typically used in serious contexts. However, treasonous is more formal and is often used in legal or political settings, while traitorous can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
