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 of betrayal

• 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

Mamdani received intense backlash over the appeal from advocacy groups, who branded the flip-flop a betrayal. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026

As the consequences of that initial act spread through the household, the story develops through status, bloodline and resentment, building into a period drama centered on betrayal, ambition and the struggle for position within the family. —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026

Many of his colleagues regard this revelation as a betrayal. —Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

Not surprising, then, victims of high-betrayal traumas are less likely to disclose what happened relative to other kinds of traumas. —Anne P. Deprince, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing betrayal

• self-betrayal

Rhymes for betrayal

• portrayal