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stab in the back

VERB
attack unsuspecting person
Synonyms
WEAK
abandon backstab be disloyal be unfaithful betray break promise commit treason cross deceive double-cross finger go back on inform on play Judas sell down the river sell out trick turn in turn informer turn traitor

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The short-lived mutiny posed the biggest challenge to Putin's rule since he rose to power in 1999, prompting the president to accuse its authors of "treason" and a "stab in the back".

From Reuters • Aug. 31, 2023

When Prigozhin and his armed men - including many convicts - launched their insurrection two months ago, Mr Putin described their actions as "treachery" and a "stab in the back of Russia".

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2023

“It felt like a parenting stab in the back from the school system,” she said.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2023

Clip Studio going subscription mode has to be the worst stab in the back of the digital art community that I’ve seen in a long time.

From The Verge • Aug. 22, 2022

And as they turned, Bod felt something stab in the back of his hand.

From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman