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
Jack HittThe double life of an informant is a peculiar one, filled at the same time with tedium and betrayal.—Karen Richardson
Karen RichardsonEven 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
David Gates2
: revelation of something hidden or secret
a betrayal of one's true feelings
There was never doubt, never a betrayal of indecision.—Jack London
Jack London… she had shrunk with irresistible dread from every course that could tend towards a betrayal of her miserable secret.—George Eliot
George EliotExamples of betrayal in a Sentence
the terrible betrayal of having her best friend reveal her confidences to others
Recent Examples on the Web
Take Me With You by Steven Rowley When college professor Jesse del Ruth’s husband vanishes into a mysterious beam of light after 30 years together, Jesse is left grappling with grief, betrayal, and the terrifying question of how to live alone.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
Bruised feelings might occur, but this isn’t in and of itself a betrayal.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
The relationship between mother and daughter—depicted with layered acuity and fraught with shame, disgust, love, desire, betrayal, veneration, and rage—is the burning centre of the novel.
—Hazlitt, 23 Dec. 2025
His fellow industry clingers-on feel a similar loyalty—and, with their sudden terminations, a similar betrayal.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for betrayal
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Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
Bruised feelings might occur, but this isn’t in and of itself a betrayal.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
The relationship between mother and daughter—depicted with layered acuity and fraught with shame, disgust, love, desire, betrayal, veneration, and rage—is the burning centre of the novel.
—Hazlitt, 23 Dec. 2025
His fellow industry clingers-on feel a similar loyalty—and, with their sudden terminations, a similar betrayal.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for betrayal
Cite this Entry
“Betrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/betrayal. Accessed 30 Dec. 2025.
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