betrayal

noun

be·​tray·​al bi-ˈtrā(-ə)l 

bē-

plural betrayals

1

: the act of betraying someone or something or the fact of being betrayed : violation of a person's trust or confidence, of a moral standard, etc.

the betrayal of a friend

a betrayal of trust

a betrayal of one's principles

A man who built his entire administration upon demanding unctuous loyalty from his allies now finds himself wounded by their shabby betrayal.

—Jack Hitt

The double life of an informant is a peculiar one, filled at the same time with tedium and betrayal.

—Karen Richardson

Even Jesus recognized that there was something paradoxical about his betrayal by Judas Iscariot—in three of the four canonical Gospels, with a kiss.

—David Gates

2

: revelation of something hidden or secret

a betrayal of one's true feelings

There was never doubt, never a betrayal of indecision.

—Jack London

… she had shrunk with irresistible dread from every course that could tend towards a betrayal of her miserable secret.

—George Eliot

Synonyms

• treachery
• treason

Examples of betrayal in a Sentence

the terrible betrayal of having her best friend reveal her confidences to others

Recent Examples on the Web

Keating said this was nothing but a disgusting betrayal that the U.S. government would not take care of those people who took care of them. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2025

As Morgan’s teenage daughter Clara (Grace) is falling in love for the first time with Miller (Thames), the duo must face tragedy and uncover new betrayals after Morgan’s husband (Scott Eastwood) dies in a car accident with her sister Jenny. —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025

Would implementing a money system, or harvesting the islands’ sandalwood forests to trade globally, be a step forward for Hawaiian independence or a shattering betrayal of the islands’ communal and collective nature? —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025

Though this laugh-out-loud comedy is based on one of the worst betrayals a person can experience, Morgan and the cast bring heart and hope to every scene. —Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing betrayal

• self-betrayal

Rhymes for betrayal

• portrayal