as in treachery
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another
the terrible betrayal of having her best friend reveal her confidences to others
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Recent Examples of betrayal
So this moral injury, this sense of betrayal is so acute with me.
—
Joe Wilkins Published Mar 11, Futurism, 11 Mar. 2026
The people in his life are still struggling with the betrayal.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Using Kurdish political aspirations as a battering ram against Tehran – without any genuine commitment to Kurdish statehood or autonomy – would, in my opinion, constitute a betrayal.
—John Calabrese, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2026
To ventriloquize one’s parent is a bold move, and fictitious Barbara would absolutely read it as a betrayal.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for betrayal
Joe Wilkins Published Mar 11, Futurism, 11 Mar. 2026
The people in his life are still struggling with the betrayal.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Using Kurdish political aspirations as a battering ram against Tehran – without any genuine commitment to Kurdish statehood or autonomy – would, in my opinion, constitute a betrayal.
—John Calabrese, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2026
To ventriloquize one’s parent is a bold move, and fictitious Barbara would absolutely read it as a betrayal.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for betrayal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betrayal
Noun
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After Thomas Hickey was hanged that year for mutiny, sedition and treachery, Washington warned that his fate should serve as a caution to all soldiers.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
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With their leader detained, El Mayo’s sicarios, or hit men, declared war against supporters of Chapo’s sons in an attempt to exact vengeance for the treachery and strengthen their own position in the wider organization.—
Daniel DePetris,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Current law says only those accused of murder or treason can have bail withheld, but this language expands that possibility to other offenses, such as misdemeanors.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
6 Mar. 2026
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While Machar is currently on trial for offenses including treason, fighting has intensified in areas seen as his strongholds, where government troops are trying to disperse the rebels.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Betrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betrayal. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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