fifth columnist
Enemy within ranks
A fifth columnist is a secret sympathizer or supporter of an enemy who engages in sabotage, espionage, or subversion from within.
The term originated during the Spanish Civil War, when a general claimed to have four columns of troops attacking Madrid and a "fifth column" of supporters inside the city.
It now applies broadly to any traitor working covertly within a group or nation: The senator accused journalists of acting as fifth columnists.
One who betrays allegiance
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
- quislingTreasonous occupation collaborator
- betrayerOne who breaks allegiance
- defectorOne who abandons allegiance
collaborator · double-crosser · backstabber · renegade · Judas · apostate · sellout · snake
Covert information gatherer
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- sleeperOne at rest
- agentOne who acts independently
- operativeCovert field agent
undercover · clandestine · covert · intelligence · counterintelligence · surveillance · infiltrator · saboteur
Deliberate disruption of operations
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- agitatorOne who foments discord
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
undermining · destabilization · insurgent · sympathizer · cell · network · conspiracy · complicity
traitor
One who betrays allegiance
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
- quislingTreasonous occupation collaborator
- betrayerOne who breaks allegiance
defector · collaborator · double-crosser · backstabber · renegade · Judas · apostate · sellout · snake · rat
spy
Covert information gatherer
operative · undercover · clandestine · covert · intelligence · counterintelligence · surveillance · infiltrator · saboteur · double agent
sabotage
Deliberate disruption of operations
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- agitatorOne who foments discord
provocateur · undermining · destabilization · insurgent · sympathizer · cell · network · conspiracy · complicity · collusion
- Traitorstraitor, turncoat, betrayer, Judas, Benedict Arnold
- deceiversliar, liars, deceiver, fraud, fake
- defectiondefection, defect, defector, turncoat, desertion
- insurgentsinsurgent, guerrillas, guerrilla, rebel, resistance fighters
- secret operativesspy, secret agent, double agent, infiltrator, sleeper agent
fifth columnistloyalist
Faithful supporter of authority
patriot · faithful servant · true believer · stalwart · devotee