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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in revealing
to make known (something abstract) through outward signs
his face betrayed his exasperation with his nosy neighbor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of betraying
This time, though, his radar had been skewed, betraying a player with fewer than 400 minutes of top-flight experience to his name before Saturday’s game.
—
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
And there’s also the suggestion that Michaela believes Simone is betraying the feminist cause by settling at such a young age for the role of plus-one to a wealthy man who treats his relationships like a transaction.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Already hacked off by the renovation fiasco, the company’s longtime patrons pounced, accusing the corporation of betraying its history and values.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Being chosen would mean betraying your sibling.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Floods, fires and failures in basic infrastructure have become the backdrop of countless lives, while our government is simultaneously betraying us.
—Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
The announcement triggered a scathing response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who accused Australia of betraying Israel.
—Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the 2023 filings, Hall accused Oates of blindsiding and betraying him.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
When Kathryn is suspected of betraying the nation, George must decide what is more important — his wife or his country.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
And there’s also the suggestion that Michaela believes Simone is betraying the feminist cause by settling at such a young age for the role of plus-one to a wealthy man who treats his relationships like a transaction.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Already hacked off by the renovation fiasco, the company’s longtime patrons pounced, accusing the corporation of betraying its history and values.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Being chosen would mean betraying your sibling.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Floods, fires and failures in basic infrastructure have become the backdrop of countless lives, while our government is simultaneously betraying us.
—Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
The announcement triggered a scathing response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who accused Australia of betraying Israel.
—Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the 2023 filings, Hall accused Oates of blindsiding and betraying him.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
When Kathryn is suspected of betraying the nation, George must decide what is more important — his wife or his country.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betraying
Verb
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Border security and enforcement efforts remain strict, and crossing the border without authorization remains a crime.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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And how many more players around the league will suddenly be crossing the previously exclusive eight-digit threshold?—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But there is precedent to Swift seemingly revealing all her cards, only to have one more ace hidden away.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
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And in the brain’s white-matter wiring, visceral fat again stood out, with diffusion MRI scans revealing lower axon density and more tissue disorganization – tiny areas of wear-and-tear that can interrupt signaling.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Here are some of the less invasive procedures seducing Hollywood, as well as some of their most sought-after practitioners.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
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The drama follows Veneno (played by non-pro Víctor Miguel), a headstrong young drifter who survives by seducing truck drivers at 24-hour roadside diners called cachimbas.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag on stage at a November 2024 Kneecap concert in London.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
26 Sep. 2025
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Video footage from the show appeared to show Ó hAnnaidh displaying a flag associated with Hezbollah, and he was subsequently charged with an terrorism offence in May.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Pricing must stay fair enough for casual fans yet tempting enough for collectors.—
Dmitrii Khasanov,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Our moments of uncanny convergence—like bumping into an old flame at the exact right (or wrong) time—function like indulgences did in the days of Martin Luther, tempting us in the promise of paradise.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Gonzalez, the former National Security Council official, said senior policymakers thought that embassy staff were showing favoritism to Bukele, sending reports that minimized the growing crisis of democracy in El Salvador.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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In the wake of industry agencies reportedly showing interest in signing the AI actress — which prompted intense backlash from members of the Hollywood community — EGOT-winning actress Goldberg addressed the topic Monday from her post on the talk show.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Die, My Love screening is just one of a host of glitzy premieres, luring Hollywood heavyweights such as Angelina Jolie (for Alice Winocour’s Couture) and Colin Farrell (for Edward Berger’s Ballad of a Small Player) to Spain’s northern coast this year.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
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And Highway 1 remains an international draw, luring visitors from all over the United States and the world.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Nonetheless, the study marks an important step in demonstrating that reprogramming adult human cells into fertilizable gametes is technically possible.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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Reinforce the business case by demonstrating how face-to-face collaboration fuels innovation, improves problem-solving, and enhances team performance.—
Peter Cappelli,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Betraying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betraying. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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