broken oath
Vow cast aside
A broken oath is a solemn promise that has been violated or abandoned.
Oaths carry weight precisely because breaking them brings dishonor or consequences: He was haunted by his broken oath to protect her.
The phrase emphasizes the gravity of the betrayal—ordinary promises are simply broken, but oaths are sacred commitments whose violation marks a moral failure.
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- perjuryCriminal courtroom dishonesty
- vowSolemn personal commitment
- wedding vowsSpoken marriage commitments
pinky promise · disloyalty · faithless · forsworn · sworn enemy · traitor · stab in the back · deceit · crossed fingers · trust · shattered · violated · sacred · honor · dishonor · covenant · lies · false
- betrayalbackstab, betray, betrayal, traitor, backstabber
- wrongdoingmisconduct, crime, sabotage, crimes, misbehavior
- disgracedishonor, disgrace, downfall, stigma, scandal
broken oathsworn loyalty
Promised dedication to serve
true to one's word · word of honor · fidelity · loyalty · faithfulness
broken oathword of honor
Promise on one's integrity
good faith · trustworthiness · reliability · integrity · honesty