betray

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of betray Yet he was determined not to betray how much the pressure weighed on him. Brent Lang, Variety, 20 June 2025 But when the reality of her situation sinks in, Ruth feels betrayed and flees the facility in search of something familiar. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 June 2025 Yet, no evidence ever surfaced that any gay or lesbian government worker had betrayed the U.S. under duress. Time, 20 June 2025 Thomas Gift, a political science professor at University College London, told Newsweek that many immigrants feel betrayed by current immigration policies, especially ones created under President Joe Biden. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for betray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betray
Verb
  • Airplane passengers crossing the Indian Ocean who peered out their windows on Oct. 19, 2024, might have seen what looked like a fast-moving star suddenly flash and fade.
    Tom Brown, Space.com, 28 June 2025
  • The east and west crossing streets along the parade route will be closed, as will 4th Ave N from Broad Street to Denny Way, starting at noon for parade staging.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Yet the true power of the image was not revealed straight away.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • The couple revealed that their first post-prison meals were from Pizza Hut and Zaxby's.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Children may be tempted to touch the flames, which can reach temperatures of up to 1,800 degrees and some run with them, sometimes leading to eye impalement.
    Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025
  • At month 10, schedule a conversation focused entirely on what might tempt them away.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Sell By: This date, used for inventory management purposes, indicates how long the retailer should display the product for sale.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 July 2025
  • Oh well, that’s OK then, and doesn’t display any lack of proper validation of update integrity before release at all.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • But what really seduced me was the transgressive idea of imagining who else lives inside each of us.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 19 June 2025
  • Teenagers and their parents can be easily seduced, so Underwood is respected for his role in keeping those players at Thorp Arch.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • That leadership will need to show itself in the coming months, before ballots are printed and voters start returning ballots by mail.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • Research shows that foods like berries, apples, nuts, dark chocolate, and tea are great sources of flavonoids.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • As the relationship between the young couple became more serious, Sarah’s parents tried to show him the best of Kansas City in the hopes that Yaron — who grew up in Germany and Israel — might be persuaded to stay in the US.
    Wolf Blitzer, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
  • Even with that new path looming, though, his father, Ignacio, persuaded him to attend one last tryout in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo that would be scouted by all 30 MLB teams.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Lee Byung-hun is also back as the double-crossing Front Man, formerly Player 001.
    Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • Jeffrey will reveal the double-crossing FBI agent’s identity provided he’s given protection after Beatrix is in custody.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Betray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betray. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on betray

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!