betray

verb be·tray \ bi-ˈtrā , bē- \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: betray in a Sentence

Definition of betray

betrayed; betraying; betrays

transitive verb

1 : to lead astray; especially : seduce

a nation betrayed into violence

a teenager betrayed by a much older man

2 : to deliver to an enemy by treachery

was betrayed to the authorities by one of his students

betraying one's own country

3 : to fail or desert especially in time of need

betrayed his family

felt that she would be betraying her principles

You've betrayed our trust.

4 a : to reveal unintentionally

betray one's true feelings

b : show, indicate

His best columns betray … the philosophical bent of his mind.
—John Mason Brown

c : to disclose in violation of confidence

betray a secret

intransitive verb

: to prove false

—

betrayal

play \bi-ˈtrā(-ə)l, bē-\ noun

—

betrayer

play \bi-ˈtrā-ər, bē-\ noun

See betray defined for English-language learners

See betray defined for kids

Examples of betray in a Sentence

They betrayed their country by selling its secrets to other governments.
She is very loyal and would never betray a friend.
She betrayed her own people by supporting the enemy.
She coughed, betraying her presence behind the door.

Recent Examples of betray from the Web

As Spotify subscribers have become accustomed to the app personalizing its service to their interests, when the company executed total editorial influence like this, a portion of users seemingly felt betrayed.

— colin stutz, Billboard, "Spotify Subscribers Demand Refunds Over Too Much Drake Promotion," 2 July 2018
First, Donald Trump’s rhetoric regarding nonwhites routinely betrays a dehumanizing prejudice.

— nicholas t. davis and steven miller, Vox, "Racism and authoritarianism go hand in hand," 2 July 2018
After all these years, the biggest race car fan in Northwest Indiana will be betrayed by his feet.

— mike hutton, Post-Tribune, "Hutton: Crown Point's Jerry Trump doesn't know 'how much longer I can do this' but will go to Indy 500 for 70th time," 26 May 2018
As Long sees it, no one should feel more betrayed by the Trump presidency than the archetypical Trump supporter: the white working-class voter whom Trump dubbed the Forgotten Man.

— Time, "Why Trump’s ‘Forgotten Man’ Still Supports Him," 15 Feb. 2018
The subpoena aims to unearth documents the House has held back from public view, citing concerns about betraying the confidence of witnesses.

— richard ruelas, azcentral, "Don Shooter subpoenas secret documents in the House sexual harassment investigation," 12 July 2018
Conversely, second wife Marie (Cassia Thompson) insists that everything is peachy, even as her eyes betray panic and emptiness.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Love and death in Spring Green: 'The Recruiting Officer,' 'Exit the King'," 3 July 2018
Some cars left exotic aromas in their wake, betraying some fuel additive or other.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "7:57:148—Volkswagen makes racing history with record-breaking electric race car," 29 June 2018
But Tina Fey’s book is rock-solid, with an arc for every character, jokes galore, and a spot-on sense of how teen girls love and betray one another.

— constance grady, Vox, "Your guide to the 17 most important nominees at this year’s Tonys," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'betray.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of betray

Middle English, from be- + trayen to betray, from Anglo-French trahir, from Latin tradere — more at traitor

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

betray Synonyms

Phrases

go back on, stab in the back;

Synonym Discussion of betray

reveal, disclose, divulge, tell, betray mean to make known what has been or should be concealed. 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

disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

- candidates must disclose their financial assets

divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

- refused to divulge an anonymous source

tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information.

- told them what he had overheard

betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

- a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

BETRAY Defined for English Language Learners

betray

verb

Definition of betray for English Language Learners

: to give information about (a person, group, country, etc.) to an enemy
: to hurt (someone who trusts you, such as a friend or relative) by not giving help or by doing something morally wrong
: to show (something, such as a feeling or desire) without wanting or trying to