Synonyms of betray

betray

verb

bi-ˈtrā 

1

as in to cross

to be unfaithful or disloyal to

childhood friends of movie stars often betray them by telling their secrets to the supermarket tabloids

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cross
• sell (out)
• backstab
• double-cross
• stab in the back
• two-time
• shop
• sell down the river
• go back on
• give away
• inform (on)
• tell (on)
• snitch (on)
• split (on)
• turn in
• peach
• rat (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protect
• defend
• save
• safeguard
• stand by
• guard
• shield

2

as in to reveal

to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

his face betrayed his exasperation with his nosy neighbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reveal
• display
• show
• demonstrate
• expose
• evince
• communicate
• manifest
• declare
• disclose
• give away
• bespeak
• sound
• uncover
• announce
• proclaim
• bare
• advertise
• unbosom
• publicize
• uncloak
• broadcast
• air
• blaze
• project
• trumpet
• placard

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misrepresent
• distort
• belie
• falsify
• disguise
• twist
• conceal
• hide
• camouflage
• obscure
• cover
• whitewash
• gild
• occlude
• veil
• gloss (over)
• mask
• garble
• varnish
• counterfeit

3

as in to tempt

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage

she was betrayed by a false show of friendship into covering up the crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tempt
• seduce
• persuade
• lure
• entice
• beguile
• solicit
• lead on
• bait
• allure
• fascinate
• decoy
• trap
• entrap
• ensnare
• draw in
• enchant
• rope (in)
• captivate
• inveigle
• snow
• mesh
• catch
• charm
• bewitch
• enmesh
• snare
• tangle
• magnetize
• wile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warn
• ward (off)
• alert
• caution
• drive (away or off)
• forewarn
• turn away
• repulse

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb betray differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of betray are disclose, divulge, reveal, and tell. While all these words mean "to make known what has been or should be concealed," betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

When is it sensible to use disclose instead of betray?

Although the words disclose and betray have much in common, disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

candidates must disclose their financial assets

When can divulge be used instead of betray?

While the synonyms divulge and betray are close in meaning, divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

refused to divulge an anonymous source

When could reveal be used to replace betray?

While in some cases nearly identical to betray, 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

In what contexts can tell take the place of betray?

The words tell and betray are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information.

told them what he had overheard

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of betray

This seemingly innocent proposal betrays how little some politicians think of American seniors. —Editorial Board, Washington Post, 24 May 2026

Kristof’s critics have recalled past incidents in which the double Pulitzer Prize winner was betrayed by his reliance on deceptive sources, including identifying an innocent man as the author of the anthrax terror attacks of 2001. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

His verse betrayed lots of confidence about the magnitude of his growing popularity and also, perhaps, a few misgivings about the nature of it. —Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 19 May 2026

Nemes doesn’t even do much speculating about who might have betrayed Moulin and his compatriots, which remains a matter of some debate in France. —Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026