oath-breaking

A knight is accused of oath-breaking before the king.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of violating a sworn promise: "oath-breaking" refers to the failure to fulfill a solemn vow or pledge, often in a legal, religious, or formal context.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The king condemned the knight for his oath-breaking, which was seen as treason. (The knight failed to keep his sworn promise of loyalty.)
  • In ancient times, oath-breaking was punished by exile or death. (Violating a formal pledge was a serious crime.)
  • She was accused of oath-breaking after she revealed the secret she had sworn to keep. (She broke her solemn promise of confidentiality.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be guilty of oath-breaking": to have committed the act of violating a sworn promise.

  • The witness was found guilty of oath-breaking and perjury. (The witness lied under oath, breaking their sworn testimony.)

• "oath-breaking as a moral failing": viewed in ethical or religious contexts as a grave sin or betrayal.

  • In many cultures, oath-breaking is considered a worse offense than lying. (Breaking a formal vow is seen as more serious than casual dishonesty.)

Variants and Related Words

• Oath (n): a solemn promise, often invoking a deity or sacred object.

  • He took an oath to defend the constitution. (He made a formal, binding promise.)

• Oath-breaker (n): a person who violates a sworn promise.

  • The oath-breaker was banished from the tribe. (The person who broke the vow was exiled.)

• Oath-bound (adj): bound by a solemn promise.

  • They were oath-bound to protect the secret. (They were obligated by their sworn word.)

Synonyms

• Perjury: specifically, the act of lying under oath in a legal setting.
• Breach of faith: a violation of trust or a promise.
• Treachery: betrayal of allegiance or trust.

Related Idioms

• To break one's oath: the direct action of violating a sworn promise.

  • He broke his oath when he sided with the enemy. (He failed to keep his solemn promise of loyalty.)

• To swear on a stack of Bibles: to make a very serious promise, often implying severe consequences for breaking it.

  • She swore on a stack of Bibles that she was telling the truth, so any oath-breaking would be a profound betrayal. (She made an extremely solemn vow.)