betray

verb

be·tray | \ bi-ˈtrā

, bē-\

betrayed; betraying; betrays

Definition of betray

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.

4a : 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

Other Words from betray Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about betray

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Synonyms & Antonyms for betray

Synonyms

backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time

Antonyms

stand by

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

Welch, short, sharp and volatile, had an intense glare and a reedy growl that betrayed his blue-collar Massachusetts roots. — Thomas Gryta And Ted Mann, WSJ, "GE Powered the American Century—Then It Burned Out," 14 Dec. 2018 To opponents, the ruling validated an anti-Muslim agenda that betrayed American ideals, subverted the Constitution and upended the hopes of thousands of families separated by war and deprivation. — New York Times, "Trump Travel Ban: How It Affects the Countries," 26 June 2018 Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week, in which Jesus was betrayed, tried, and crucified. — Marie Milano, Country Living, "When Is Palm Sunday, and Why Does the Date Always Change?," 8 Mar. 2019 Cunningham felt festering shame and regret over having betrayed those who had trusted him. — Alexander Huls, Popular Mechanics, "The Great Star Wars Heist," 7 Mar. 2019 But these flare-ups also have betrayed how treacherous responding to social media outrage can be. — Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, "ABC's move to ax 'Roseanne' reflects businesses are often at front lines of culture wars," 30 May 2018 To do less or to dither rather than decide is to shirk our duty and betray the public’s trust. — Gov. Butch Otter, idahostatesman, "Idaho Gov. Butch Otter | Read full 2018 State of the State | Idaho Statesman," 8 Jan. 2018 These are the worlds of modern-era Batman, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, and so many other contemporary pop culture properties — universes in which cruelty is a given and social systems are destined to betray or disappoint. — Aja Romano, Vox, "In the era of Trump and apocalyptic change, Hopepunk is a storytelling template for #resistance — and hanging onto your humanity at all costs.," 27 Dec. 2018 The New York senator often attributes her entrance into politics to Mrs. Clinton’s 2000 Senate race, but some Clinton allies have accused her of betraying the longtime patron of her political career. — Jimmy Vielkind, WSJ, "Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to Launch Exploratory Committee for 2020 Presidential Bid," 15 Jan. 2019

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.