betray

verb

be·​tray bi-ˈtrā 

bē-

betrayed; betraying; betrays

transitive verb

1

: to lead astray

especially : seduce

a nation betrayed into violence

a teenager betrayed by a much older man

2

: to deliver to an enemy by treachery

was betrayed to the authorities by one of his students

betraying one's own country

3

: to fail or desert especially in time of need

betrayed his family

felt that she would be betraying her principles

You've betrayed our trust.

4

a

: to reveal unintentionally

betray one's true feelings

b

: show, indicate

His best columns betray … the philosophical bent of his mind.

—John Mason Brown

c

: to disclose in violation of confidence

betray a secret

intransitive verb

: to prove false

betrayer

bi-ˈtrā-ər 

bē-

noun

Synonyms

• backstab
• cross
• double-cross
• sell (out)
• two-time

Choose the Right Synonym for betray

reveal, disclose, divulge, tell, betray mean to make known what has been or should be concealed.

reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason.

divine will as revealed in sacred writings

disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

candidates must disclose their financial assets

divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

refused to divulge an anonymous source

tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information.

told them what he had overheard

betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

Examples of betray in a Sentence

They betrayed their country by selling its secrets to other governments.

She is very loyal and would never betray a friend.

She betrayed her own people by supporting the enemy.

She coughed, betraying her presence behind the door.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the novel, the Captain’s medium is his message: his lyrically reproachful narration betrays his bourgeois sensibility and jaded world view. —Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

The ruling seemed to her like another reminder of how her party had betrayed her values. —Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Despite Russia’s attacks on peaceful Ukrainian cities, some Ukrainians do not need to be pressured to betray their country. —Kostiantyn Khudov, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

After all, radio didn’t betray skin color, and RCA certainly wasn’t going to sell him as a Black country artist a year after the Civil Rights Act became law. —Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 1 Apr. 2024

So the gist of this story so far is that Ohtani’s close friend betrayed him. —Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024

The ensemble also betrays the woman’s emotions, and anticipates the increasingly sharp turns of her mental state, including with a tense, thumping rhythm like a heartbeat. —Joshua Barone, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024

On the other hand, the passion, loyalty, and collective sense of ownership that is welcomed to propel brands mainstream, is equally valid when consumers feel betrayed. —Ebony Flake, Essence, 29 Mar. 2024

How does Ohtani feel about allegedly being betrayed? —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from be- + trayen to betray, from Anglo-French trahir, from Latin tradere — more at traitor

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing betray

• betray nothing
• betray someone's friendship
• betray someone's trust

Kids Definition

betray

verb

be·​tray bi-ˈtrā 

1

: to give over to an enemy by treachery

2

: to be unfaithful to

betrayed our trust

3

: to reveal without meaning to

betrayed their ignorance

4

: to tell in violation of a trust

betray a secret

betrayal

-ˈtrā(-ə)l 

noun

betrayer

-ˈtrā-ər 

noun