treacherous

/ˈtretʃərəs/ (bre, ipa) · [trˈɛtʃɚəs] /ˈtretʃərəs/ (ame, ipa) · [trˈɛtʃɚəs] /ˈtre-chə-rəs How to pronounce treacherous (audio) ˈtrech-rəs/ (ame, mw)

treacherous — adjective

  • treacherouspositive
  • more treacherouscomparative
  • most treacheroussuperlative

1. describing a road, path, area of sea, or weather condition that looks safe but i

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a road, path, area of sea, or weather condition that looks safe but is actually very dangerous because problems are hidden — for example, ice on a road, loose rocks on a slope, or a sudden storm at sea.

例句

The icy mountain path became treacherous after the snowfall, and Minh decided to turn back.

Adisa warned the fishermen that the sea would be treacherous during the typhoon season.

collocation: treacherous sea / treacherous weather

同義詞
  • dangerous

    general word — treacherous adds the idea of hidden, deceptive risk

  • hazardous

    more formal, often used in official warnings or regulations

  • perilous

    literary or strong register — suggests immediate threat of harm

  • risky

    less extreme — implies chance of failure or danger, not certain hidden danger

反義詞
  • safe

    free from danger

  • secure

    stable and unlikely to cause harm

用法筆記

Most common with nouns describing routes (path, road, crossing), natural features (sea, river, cliff), and weather (ice, fog, storm).

2. acting against a person or group that had good reason to trust you, usually by s

2.形容詞B2
釋義

acting against a person or group that had good reason to trust you, usually by secretly helping an enemy or working against their interests.

例句

The spy was arrested for passing treacherous information to a foreign government.

collocation: treacherous information

Inês felt betrayed when her so-called friend made a treacherous deal behind her back.

同義詞
  • disloyal

    less extreme — can mean simply not supporting someone; treacherous implies active harm

  • unfaithful

    often used in romantic relationships

  • traitorous

    specifically about betraying a country or large group

  • deceitful

    focuses on lying rather than betrayal of trust

反義詞

用法筆記

Describes people, their actions, or their character — not the relationship. A person can be a treacherous ally; an action can be a treacherous act.

常見錯誤

❌He was treacherous to me.
✅He acted treacherously toward me.
💡Treacherous describes the person's character or action, not the direction of the feeling.