betray

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verb be·tray \bi-ˈtrā, bē-\

Definition of betray

transitive verb
1 : to lead astray; especially : seduce a nation betrayed into violence a teenager betrayed by a much older man
2 : to deliver to an enemy by treachery was betrayed to the authorities by one of his students betraying one's own country
3 : to fail or desert especially in time of need betrayed his family felt that she would be betraying her principles You've betrayed our trust.
4a : to reveal unintentionally betray one's true feelingsb : show, indicate His best columns betray … the philosophical bent of his mind. — John Mason Brownc : to disclose in violation of confidence betray a secret
intransitive verb
: to prove false

betrayal

play \-ˈtrā(-ə)l\ noun

betrayer

play \-ˈtrā-ər\ noun

See betray defined for English-language learners

See betray defined for kids

Examples of betray in a Sentence

They betrayed their country by selling its secrets to other governments.
She is very loyal and would never betray a friend.
She betrayed her own people by supporting the enemy.
She coughed, betraying her presence behind the door.

Recent Examples of betray from the Web

With all of today’s technology, knowledge and specialized training, Finnegan threw three innings before his arm betrayed him again.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: Are injuries just part of being a pitcher now?", 30 June 2017
Neutrinos first betrayed their existence through an absence.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Weighing the universe's most elusive particle", 29 June 2017
Yet in practice, distrust abounds: Reportedly, some of its more senior members secretly covet the presidency and have previously betrayed each other.

— andrés miguel rondón, The Atlantic, "The Long, Slow Death of Chavismo", 29 June 2017
While, floral and fern prints betrayed Van Noten’s love of flowers.

— thomas adamson, The Seattle Times, "Louis Vuitton channels escapism at sweltering Paris menswear", 22 June 2017
But seeking to exploit those assets while a journalist would betray readers' trust in a reporter's impartiality.

— Bloomberg.com, "Wall Street Journal Fires Correspondent Over Ethics Conflict", 21 June 2017
Unlike Tiger Woods, whose body has betrayed him as much as his psyche, Novak doesn't appear to have a significant injury.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Mailbag: The gap between Andy Murray's off-court class vs. on-court behavior", 21 June 2017
Democrats will have plenty of disappointments to bring to their attention, including Republican health-care and tax-cut plans that betray the working-class voters who put Trump in the White House.

— bruce reed, The Atlantic, "How the Democrats Can Take Back Congress", 20 June 2017
The Cuban government rebuked those statements in a lengthy response Friday, writing that Trump's executive order betrays a double standard on human rights.

— miranda green, CNN, "Cuba to Trump: US in no 'condition to lecture us' on human rights", 17 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'betray'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of betray

Middle English, from be- + trayen to betray, from Anglo-French trahir, from Latin tradere — more at traitor

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First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of betray

reveal, disclose, divulge, tell, betray mean to make known what has been or should be concealed. reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason. divine will as revealed in sacred writings disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret. candidates must disclose their financial assets divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence. refused to divulge an anonymous source tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information. told them what he had overheard betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure. a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

BETRAY Defined for English Language Learners

betray

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verb

Definition of betray for English Language Learners

: to give information about (a person, group, country, etc.) to an enemy
: to hurt (someone who trusts you, such as a friend or relative) by not giving help or by doing something morally wrong
: to show (something, such as a feeling or desire) without wanting or trying to