Doublecrosses

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To betray or deceive someone while appearing to be loyal or honest; to provide false reassurance while acting against someone's interests; engaging in treacherous behavior by aligning with one side while secretly undermining it at the same time
2. Performing acts of betrayal under the guise of support or friendship; misleading someone through deceitful promises while working against their goals; exhibiting disloyalty by simultaneously maintaining relationships on opposing sides
3. Engaging in betrayal by pretending to be on someone's side while actually sabotaging them; giving false hope or trust before turning against someone; acting in bad faith by serving multiple conflicting interests at once

Etymology: "Doublecrosses" is the third-person singular present form of "doublecross," a verb meaning to betray someone who trusts you, often while pretending to support them. The base word is "double" plus "cross," and the compound is formed from those two plain English elements. Its sense of betrayal draws on "cross" in the older meaning of a deliberate swindle or double-dealing, so a doublecross is a cheat laid on top of another cheat, with the deceiver posing as an ally while serving the opposing side.

Synonyms: betrays, deceives

Antonyms: supports, loyals