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

When Grant became president in 1869 and tried to crack down on the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups, ex-Confederates demonized him as a radical extremist who had betrayed his promises to Lee. — Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025

The series details how betrayed the students felt to be spied on by an institution they were supposed to trust, and the impact on their mental health and development. —Barry Levitt, Time, 8 Apr. 2025

Besides, White’s greatest asset, his knack for writing vivid characters whose performative dialogue betrays their deepest insecurities, is still in full force. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025

Their procedural only ups the ante as the boys raid a KKK rally (one of the members is played by Michael Shannon), and Mike betrays his best friend two times over — accidentally shooting him in the rump and secretly dating his younger sister, DEA Special Agent Syd (Gabrielle Union). —Rendy Jones, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for betray

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

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