betrayal

noun

be·​tray·​al bi-ˈtrā(-ə)l How to pronounce betrayal (audio)
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

Examples of betrayal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Diamond Bazaar is an epic saga of love, power, betrayal, struggle and, ultimately, freedom. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 The president's latest betrayal of the working class is costly, irresponsible, unconstitutional, and ineffective. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 24 Feb. 2024 The brazen coup attempt that took the life of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse holds all the elements of a three-act Shakespearean tragedy: plots and subplots, ambition and betrayal, gore and death, all ensnaring the circle of people closest to him, including his wife. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024 While this may have felt permissible in any other context, its presentation alongside the movie’s Ukrainian subjects — who have no such option to escape their circumstances — verges on betrayal, and momentarily renders her commentary futile. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 16 Feb. 2024 Disillusionment with the West gradually soured into a sense of betrayal on issues such as U.S. plans for a new missile-defense system in Europe. Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 14 Feb. 2024 Exacerbating such fears on both sides are deep feelings of betrayal – over words and actions that don’t align. Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Feb. 2024 Jesus also washed the feet of his disciples and shared a foreshadowing of Judas’ betrayal at the Garden of Gethsemane. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 21 Feb. 2024 As Moyn sees it, the present crisis has been caused not by liberalism but by its betrayal, by none other than the architects of the liberal order themselves. Helena Rosenblatt, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'betrayal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of betrayal was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near betrayal

Cite this Entry

“Betrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/betrayal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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