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 of betrayal

• 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

In the end, though, what gives the film its power is less its visual and aural flair than the deep sense of betrayal at its core. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2026

Netanyahu is already portraying any such alliance as a betrayal of Israel’s Jewish identity and a national security threat, raising the pressure on Eisenkot’s allies, particularly those on the right, to reject it. — Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Montenegrin director and producer Katarina Bulajić is participating with first feature project Leech, about a woman returning to her hometown who is confronted by the magnitude of betrayal. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

There's also lots of original programming, including a gripping Australian crime drama and a Korean tale of betrayal and power. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing betrayal

• self-betrayal

Rhymes for betrayal

• portrayal