betrayal

noun

be·​tray·​al bi-ˈtrā(-ə)l 

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

Synonyms

• backstabbing
• business
• disloyalty
• double cross
• faithlessness
• falseness
• falsity
• infidelity
• perfidy
• sellout
• treachery
• treason
• two-timing
• unfaithfulness

Examples of betrayal in a Sentence

the terrible betrayal of having her best friend reveal her confidences to others

Recent Examples on the Web

In a shocking betrayal, the orcs murdered their leader Adar (Sam Hazeldine) and pledged their loyalty to Sauron, their true dark lord. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024

Unsurprisingly, the taff was devastated by the betrayal. —Keisha Hatchett, TVLine, 30 Sep. 2024

Friends say that all his recent posts are about betrayal. —R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2024

The movie is almost Shakespearean in its blend of power, romance, betrayal, and tragedy while truly uncompromising in its carnage — and its fateful ending. —Megan Vick, EW.com, 28 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing betrayal

• self-betrayal