treacherously

IPA/ˈtretʃərəsli/
IPA/ˈtretʃərəsli/

treacherously — adverb

1. Used of a road, surface, or weather condition that looks safe or harmless but hi

1.副詞C1
釋義

Used of a road, surface, or weather condition that looks safe or harmless but hides a serious hidden danger far greater than it appears.

例句

The mountain path looked dry, but it was treacherously icy near the shaded bends.

collocation: treacherously icy

Amani realised too late that the snow-covered lake was treacherously thin in the middle.

同義詞
  • deceptively

    focuses on the misleading appearance rather than the resulting danger

  • perilously

    emphasises the level of danger but lacks the deceptive element specific to treacherously

  • precariously

    describes unstable or unsafe situations without implying they look safe

反義詞
  • safely

    opposite in outcome, though treacherously is about deceptive appearance rather than sheer harmlessness

用法筆記

The deceptive element is essential — treacherously does not mean simply 'dangerously' but rather 'dangerously in a way that looks safe'. Commonly paired with adjectives describing natural hazards: icy, slippery, thin (ice), strong (currents), steep, cold.

常見錯誤

❌The cliff path was treacherously steep and we could see the drop clearly.
✅The cliff path looked like an easy walk but was treacherously steep and hidden by loose rocks.
💡'Treacherously' requires the sense of hidden or deceptive danger, not just any visible danger.
❌The knife was treacherously sharp.
✅The floor looked newly polished but was treacherously slippery after the wax.
💡'Treacherously' is not used for ordinary sharp objects; it describes conditions that fool you about their danger.

2. with deliberate deception toward a person or group that believed they could rely

2.副詞C1
釋義

with deliberate deception toward a person or group that believed they could rely on you, often by breaking a formal or personal promise of loyalty

例句

The general acted treacherously by selling military secrets to the enemy during peace talks.

collocation: act treacherously

Saira felt deeply hurt when her closest business partner behaved treacherously and took the company funds for himself.

collocation: behave treacherously

同義詞
  • faithlessly

    emphasises breaking a promise or vow; more common in literary or formal contexts

  • disloyally

    applies to abandoning a person, group, or cause you belong to; slightly less severe than treacherously

  • perfidiously

    a formal, stronger term that carries the same weight as treacherously; less common in everyday use

反義詞
  • loyally

    the direct opposite — acting with faithfulness to a person or group

  • faithfully

    emphasises keeping promises or remaining true to commitments

用法筆記

Typically describes serious violations of trust between individuals or allies (friends, colleagues, nations). Less common for minor dishonesties or white lies — the betrayal must involve a significant bond of trust.

常見錯誤

❌She acted treacherously by telling a small lie about her age.
✅She acted treacherously by revealing her friend's secret to their rivals.
💡Treacherously implies a serious betrayal, not everyday dishonesty.
❌He dealt treacherously with the paperwork and made errors.
✅He dealt treacherously by sharing confidential documents with a competitor.
💡The word requires betrayal of trust, not just carelessness or ordinary mistakes.