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

• treachery
• treason

Examples of betrayal in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

This decision is a travesty, a betrayal of the many farmers and rural Americans who voted for Trump. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025

To witness in real time the writers stray so far from the stories that set us up for adult life can feel like a kind of betrayal. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2025

Cygnet Theatre presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical about love, betrayal and changing times in the early 1900s Oklahoma Territory. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025

The podcast, premiering August 11, brings former Traitors competitors to the roundtable to relive all the betrayals, starting from Season 1 of the Peacock reality series. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 22 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing betrayal

• self-betrayal

Rhymes for betrayal

• portrayal