1
as in crossing
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in revealing
to make known (something abstract) through outward signs
his face betrayed his exasperation with his nosy neighbor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in seducing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of betraying
Michael Fassbender stars as George, a chilly veteran British operative who’s given a list of five possible agents who might be betraying the organization.
—
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
When Kathryn is suspected of betraying the nation, George must decide what is more important — his wife or his country.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
Two characters who go on a mission and don’t necessarily trust one another and maybe are constantly betraying one another.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Britney ultimately voted for Danielle (betraying her one more time from their time on Big Brother) and was banished, revealing her role as a traitor in the game.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
His criticism of Vance appeared to come from a different place, however, echoing an outraged supporter base that saw the vice president as betraying British troops killed fighting American wars.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2025
India has used a mix of improvisation, co-optation, and coercion to control the northeast, often betraying its own constitutional values in the process.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Most Americans don’t want to believe that their government is taking lifesaving medicine away from sick people in Africa, or betraying Afghans who sacrificed for this country.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2025
Second, that board is betraying the trust the neighbors/members place in the board.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
When Kathryn is suspected of betraying the nation, George must decide what is more important — his wife or his country.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
Two characters who go on a mission and don’t necessarily trust one another and maybe are constantly betraying one another.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Britney ultimately voted for Danielle (betraying her one more time from their time on Big Brother) and was banished, revealing her role as a traitor in the game.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
His criticism of Vance appeared to come from a different place, however, echoing an outraged supporter base that saw the vice president as betraying British troops killed fighting American wars.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2025
India has used a mix of improvisation, co-optation, and coercion to control the northeast, often betraying its own constitutional values in the process.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Most Americans don’t want to believe that their government is taking lifesaving medicine away from sick people in Africa, or betraying Afghans who sacrificed for this country.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2025
Second, that board is betraying the trust the neighbors/members place in the board.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betraying
Verb
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In a very different way, Newcastle gave it all afternoon, running and challenging and protecting each other, treading a careful line and sometimes crossing it.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
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If Samuelson struggled to the line, or worse yet dropped to the ground after crossing it, that would validate those views and set back for years the fight for gender equality in the Olympics.—
Austin Knoblauch,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The 1981 movie deals with classism, heritage, and the human spirit, revealing just what lengths anyone will go through to reach a goal within sight.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Even worse, attackers can exploit large language model (LLM) vulnerabilities through methods like prompt injection, tricking systems into revealing confidential information.—
Rich Vibert,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Guys weren't expecting to have to do another rebuild this year and their frustration is really showing after the trade a week before training camp has left the team, again, with some odd fitting parts that have to be fitted together on the fly.—
John Hollinger,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
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The survey results reiterated prior consumer polls showing the importance of various options.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
WWD,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The promise of a $225,000 starting salary at a top corporate law firm is luring many, making the financial burden of law school seem more justifiable.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
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Ewen says the task for Southwest will be striking a balance between luring new customers, which could potentially improve financials, and keeping existing customers happy.—
Dallas Morning News,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Barcelona show, featuring the full WWE roster, is one of several international dates, demonstrating WWE's commitment to performing for audiences worldwide.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
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Offering tailored solutions and demonstrating dedication creates strong partnerships that make a lasting impact.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The agency has sued companies for persuading veterans to sell their pension and disability payments, for charging military families more than thirty-six per cent interest on pawn loans, and for misleading servicemembers to take costly cash-out refinance loans on their homes.—
E. Tammy Kim,
The New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2025
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The Bears don’t appear to be having much trouble persuading offensive players to come to Chicago after hiring Johnson, the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Experts say the falling rate could thaw the largely frozen housing market by enticing buyers off the sidelines.—
Kevin Williams,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
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Nearly all bird species feed their young insects, so planting native greenery that attracts bugs can be enticing to hummingbirds.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Betraying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betraying. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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