Synonyms of betraying

betraying

verb

present participle of betray

1

as in crossing

to be unfaithful or disloyal to

childhood friends of movie stars often betray them by telling their secrets to the supermarket tabloids

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crossing
• backstabbing
• selling (out)
• double-crossing
• two-timing
• shopping
• stabbing in the back
• selling down the river
• going back on
• giving away
• informing (on)
• telling (on)
• peaching
• splitting (on)
• snitching (on)
• turning in
• ratting (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protecting
• defending
• saving
• guarding
• standing by
• shielding
• safeguarding

2

as in revealing

to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

his face betrayed his exasperation with his nosy neighbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• revealing
• displaying
• showing
• demonstrating
• exposing
• evincing
• communicating
• manifesting
• declaring
• disclosing
• giving away
• sounding
• baring
• uncovering
• announcing
• proclaiming
• bespeaking
• publicizing
• projecting
• airing
• broadcasting
• advertising
• blazing
• unbosoming
• uncloaking
• trumpeting
• placarding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misrepresenting
• distorting
• falsifying
• twisting
• belying
• disguising
• camouflaging
• concealing
• hiding
• covering
• obscuring
• whitewashing
• masking
• garbling
• varnishing
• occluding
• counterfeiting
• glossing (over)
• veiling
• gilding

3

as in seducing

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage

she was betrayed by a false show of friendship into covering up the crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seducing
• tempting
• luring
• persuading
• enticing
• soliciting
• baiting
• decoying
• alluring
• beguiling
• leading on
• trapping
• inveigling
• fascinating
• entrapping
• ensnaring
• enchanting
• drawing in
• enmeshing
• tangling
• snaring
• catching
• meshing
• snowing
• charming
• magnetizing
• captivating
• bewitching
• roping (in)
• wiling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warning
• alerting
• cautioning
• warding (off)
• driving (away or off)
• turning away
• forewarning
• repulsing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of betraying

That strictly enforced division between those who do and don’t have the right ID has remained in place long enough that the university is now betraying its own identity. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Aug. 2026

The company restructured itself into a primarily for-profit business last year, largely betraying its non-profit roots. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026

Over time, Russian prosecutors have begun to charge more of these Ukrainians with treason—for the crime of betraying Russia—rather than with harming the interests of a foreign state. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

One of the spirits was Sinon, who was upset with Odysseus for betraying him and not telling him the Trojan Horse plan. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026

In Homer’s poem, they’re accused of betraying Odysseus’ household by serving — and, in some cases, sleeping with — the suitors courting Penelope. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026

When McDonald confirmed the sexting messages to the Times, Platner accused her of trafficking in gossip and betraying confidences. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026

Many Americans believe the country is, in its current incarnation, betraying its ideals. — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026

Regan argued skeptics like Newsom and the CTA were betraying their base. — Ben Paviour july 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026