betray

verb be·tray \ bi-ˈtrā , bē- \

Definition of betray

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

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betrayal

play \-ˈtrā(-ə)l\ noun

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betrayer

play \-ˈtrā-ər\ 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

It was further betrayed by being printed, posted, stored and sold.

— The Economist, "The last of the fire-breathersObituary: Heathcote Williams died on July 1st," 15 July 2017
But this is well before Donald Trump was elected president that my party has betrayed their core values.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Joe Scarborough Tells Colbert He’s Leaving the Republican Party," 11 July 2017
With all of today’s technology, knowledge and specialized training, Finnegan threw three innings before his arm betrayed him again.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: Are injuries just part of being a pitcher now?," 30 June 2017
Neutrinos first betrayed their existence through an absence.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Weighing the universe's most elusive particle," 29 June 2017
Yet in practice, distrust abounds: Reportedly, some of its more senior members secretly covet the presidency and have previously betrayed each other.

— andrés miguel rondón, The Atlantic, "The Long, Slow Death of Chavismo," 29 June 2017
If not by dragon, who wouldn't enjoy seeing Tyrion Lannister exact revenge for the way he was cast out and betrayed by Cersei.

— herbie teope, NOLA.com, "Saints overcoming loss of Terron Armstead headlines latest Twitter mailbag," 24 June 2017
While, floral and fern prints betrayed Van Noten’s love of flowers.

— thomas adamson, The Seattle Times, "Louis Vuitton channels escapism at sweltering Paris menswear," 22 June 2017
But seeking to exploit those assets while a journalist would betray readers' trust in a reporter's impartiality.

— Bloomberg.com, "Wall Street Journal Fires Correspondent Over Ethics Conflict," 21 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

betray Synonyms

Synonyms

backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, go back on, sell down the river, stab in the back

Antonyms

stand by

Related Words

give away; inform (on), peach, rat (on), shop [British], snitch (on), split (on) [British], tell (on), turn in

Near Antonyms

defend, guard, protect, safeguard, save, shield

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