9 Words for Someone Who Talks Behind Your Back

So, you’ve found out that someone talks behind your back. Well, it’s good to come up with a term for a person who talks about others, and you’ve come to the right place to do so!

We’ve gathered some of the best synonyms, such as:

  • Two-faced
  • Hypocritical
  • Backstabbing
  • Duplicitous
  • Untrustworthy
  • Insincere
  • Backhanded
  • Double-dealing
  • False

The best words for someone who talks behind your back are “two-faced,” “hypocritical,” and “backstabbing.”

Keep reading to learn more about each synonym and how you can use them in different situations.

1. Two-Faced

“Two-faced” is an excellent synonym for showing that someone talks behind your back. It implies that they have one face when talking to you and a completely separate face when saying bad things about you to others.

Generally, two-faced people only talk negatively about others. They won’t ever have something positive to say when the target isn’t around.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “two-faced” as “double-dealing,” which is “action contradictory to a professed attitude.”

This example will show you how to use “two-faced” in a sentence:

  • She’s very two-faced. I wouldn’t trust her with any of your deepest secrets.

2. Hypocritical

“Hypocritical” applies to many situations, but you can use it here for someone who always talks about others. Generally, the content of their conversation is negative, meaning they never say nice things about others.

They are hypocritical because they will often pretend to be someone’s friend. However, they are the first to talk about them negatively when they are not around their so-called friend.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “hypocritical” as “characterized by behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel.”

Why not check out the following example to see how to use “hypocritical” in a sentence:

  • I’m not trying to be hypocritical, but I really don’t like Daniel. I don’t want him to know that I said that, though.

3. Backstabbing

“Backstabbing” is a great verb to show that a person talks badly about someone. You can use it when you think someone is your friend but later find out that they only say horrible things about you to others.

The term is most commonly associated with betrayal. It works when you think someone is a friend, even though they haven’t done anything to earn that right.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “backstabbing” as “betrayal, especially by a false friend.”

Here’s a quick example to help you understand more about it:

  • The backstabbing needs to stop, Paul. You can’t keep talking bad about someone to make yourself look better!

4. Duplicitous

“Duplicitous” is a great synonym for this situation. It shows that someone deceives others by talking behind their back, especially in negative contexts.

They will often find a way to be cruel or insulting to the people they usually call friends. It’s very hard to know when to trust a duplicitous person for that reason.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “duplicitous” as “deceptive in words or action.”

You might benefit from reading the following example to see how to use it:

  • You’re far too duplicitous with your friends. I don’t want anything to do with that right now!

5. Untrustworthy

“Untrustworthy” is a simple synonym you can use here. It suggests you cannot trust someone because they always talk negatively about the people in their life.

Most people will avoid getting close to untrustworthy people. After all, what’s the point in befriending them if they’re just going to talk badly about you too?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “untrustworthy” as “not dependable or worthy of confidence.”

How about referring to the example below to see how to use “untrustworthy” in a sentence:

  • I’ve been labeled as untrustworthy because I like to gossip about my friends. Sorry about that!

6. Insincere

“Insincere” is a great alternative to show someone is not a true friend. While they might say things that make you think they like you, an insincere person will often go against the kind things they say to you.

Instead, they will talk about you to other people, and it’s never nice when you find out about that.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “insincere” as “hypocritical.”

Check out how to use “insincere” in a sentence below:

  • You seem like such an insincere friend. You keep talking bad about others to make yourself look better, and it’s gross!

7. Backhanded

“Backhanded” is a great term to describe someone who deceives or plots against you. If they try to make other people dislike you, then they might be making backhanded comments about you when you’re not around.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “backhanded” as “devious.”

You could try using “backhanded” in a sentence as follows:

  • They have such backhanded attitudes toward their friends. They definitely do it to make themselves look better.

8. Double-dealing

“Double-dealing” is a great term for showing that someone contradicts themselves. You can use it when someone pretends to be your friend one day but talks badly about you on another day.

If someone is happy to insult you when you’re not around, it’s likely that they’re a double-dealer. However, you might not know this immediately as you’re never around when they say horrible things.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “double-dealing” as “action contradictory to a professed attitude.”

Check out this example to show you how to use it in a sentence:

  • She is nothing more than a double-dealing woman. I can’t stand how much she talks about others behind their backs.

9. False

“False” is a great term that’s usually accompanied by the noun “friend” (i.e., “false friend”). It implies that someone pretends to like you, even though they will talk about you negatively to others when they get the chance.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “false” as “not genuine.”

Here is a quick look at how to use “false” in a sentence:

  • You are a false friend, and I’ve never known anyone to talk bad about others as much as you.