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

Bob returned to reality competition on Peacock's The Traitors, where he was famously banished in episode 4 and revealed as a Traitor following a betrayal by fellow undercover Traitor Rob Mariano. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025

To be fair, K&W never claimed to be a buffet, but the revelation that seconds were not an option — not even after a modest serving of chicken tenders and unseasoned fries — felt like a personal betrayal. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Dec. 2025

An odd thing about the book — one that gives it an aloof, affectless quality — is that Nuzzi doesn’t seem to recognize that her collaboration with Kennedy was a grave professional betrayal. —Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025

However, the daughter refuses to see her mother, having never forgiven her for past betrayals. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing betrayal

• self-betrayal

Rhymes for betrayal

• portrayal