betray

verb

be·​tray bi-ˈtrā 

bē-

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

betrayer

bi-ˈtrā-ər 

bē-

noun

Synonyms

• cross
• sell (out)
• backstab
• double-cross

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

When reality stars act in a way that is offensive or seemingly out of character, audiences feel betrayed. —Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 10 July 2025

Some have been corrupted by money and power, betraying each other as readily as the criminals do. —Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

Unlike a tax, which funnels money to the government, a litigation trust serves the people and churches betrayed by institutional drift. —The Rev. Jake Dell, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025

The same six justices had already betrayed the Constitution by giving Trump absolute criminal immunity for any of his official acts. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing betray

• betray nothing
• betray someone's friendship
• betray someone's trust

Rhymes for betray

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

betray

verb

be·​tray bi-ˈtrā 

1

: to give over to an enemy by treachery

2

: to be unfaithful to

betrayed our trust

3

: to reveal without meaning to

betrayed their ignorance

4

: to tell in violation of a trust

betray a secret

betrayal

-ˈtrā(-ə)l 

noun

betrayer

-ˈtrā-ər 

noun