Meaning & use

Judas

proper noun·Advanced

In the New Testament, the disciple of Jesus who betrayed him to the authorities for money.

See it in a sentence

The painting depicted the moment Judas identified Jesus with a kiss.

In the story's retelling, the character of Judas is portrayed with unexpected sympathy.

A note on using this word

Because of this story, 'a Judas' (lowercase) is also used as a common noun for any traitor, as in the second sense below.

Words with a similar meaning

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Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

A person who betrays a friend, colleague, or cause; a traitor.

His old teammates called him a Judas after he leaked their strategy to a rival.

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