oathbreakers
Those who betray
Oathbreakers are people who violate solemn promises or sworn commitments.
The word carries weight because oaths historically bound people to sacred or legal obligations—breaking them meant betraying something fundamental.
In fantasy fiction and gaming, oathbreakers are often cursed or dishonored figures: The oathbreakers were doomed to wander until they fulfilled their pledge.
Outside fiction, the term condemns those who betray trust or duty.
Those who betray loyalties
- defectorsThose abandoning allegiance
- betrayersThose who break faith
- renegadesTraitors to a cause
- quislingsCollaborators with enemy occupiers
deserters · collaborators · double-crossers · backstabbers · informers · saboteurs · conspirators · double-dealers
Deliberate violation of trust
- perfidyDeliberate breach of trust
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- faithlessnessDisloyalty or treachery
duplicity · breach · violation · disgrace · shame · ignominy · disrepute · infamy
Rejectors of official doctrine
- apostatesThose who abandon belief
- backslidersThose who abandon commitments
- dissidentsPolitical objectors
- schismaticsThose causing religious division
Unfaithful married persons
- cheatersNonprescription reading glasses
- two-timersPeople cheating on partners
- philanderersHabitual romantic cheaters
- affairRomantic entanglement outside commitment
Liars under oath
- subornationInducing another to commit perjury
- affidavitSworn written statement
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
fabricators · falsifiers · prevaricators · contempt · deposition
turncoats
Those who betray loyalties
quislings · deserters · collaborators · double-crossers · backstabbers · informers · saboteurs · conspirators · double-dealers · finks
treachery
Deliberate violation of trust
- perfidyDeliberate breach of trust
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
faithlessness · duplicity · breach · violation · disgrace · shame · ignominy · disrepute · infamy · dishonesty
heretics
Rejectors of official doctrine
- apostatesThose who abandon belief
- backslidersThose who abandon commitments
- dissidentsPolitical objectors
adulterers
Unfaithful married persons
- cheatersNonprescription reading glasses
- two-timersPeople cheating on partners
- philanderersHabitual romantic cheaters
perjurers
Liars under oath
- subornationInducing another to commit perjury
- affidavitSworn written statement
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
courtroom · fabricators · falsifiers · prevaricators · contempt · deposition