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

• backstabbing
• business
• disloyalty
• double cross
• faithlessness
• falseness
• falsity
• infidelity
• perfidy
• sellout
• treachery
• treason
• two-timing
• unfaithfulness

Examples of betrayal in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

James' whole legacy was about, 'I was brought up with violence and beef and kidnaps and murder and betrayal. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 May 2024

Ohtani’s ability to distance himself from the potential distraction of betrayal and scandal and the seismic changes in his life over the past few months is nothing short of remarkable. —Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 15 May 2024

But others on the right viewed such a letter as a betrayal that undermined their efforts to oust Moyle. —Daniel Walters, Idaho Statesman, 14 May 2024

There seemed to be a possibility for romance between the two — or betrayal — while Wednesday tried who was the ever-elusive Hyde monster. —Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024

Swift’s side argues that she was shut out of the sale of her masters in a betrayal that prevented her from bidding on the purchase. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2024

Some have taken the filing as a political betrayal since Bonta endorsed Gascón in 2020 and defeated Hochman in the 2022 attorney general’s race. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2024

The body’s final betrayal, of course, is death, the subject of Cronenberg’s new film. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

In interviews and emails, more than 20 policyholders who are losing coverage there shared an array of emotions, which included anxiety, dismay and betrayal. —Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 2 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing betrayal

• self-betrayal