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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of betraying
The increasing integration of blockchain and the finance industry raises uncomfortable questions of whether crypto is betraying its founding ideals, which saw Bitcoin as a rebellion against the big bank and government control of the financial system.
—
Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
Yet when Canada fell behind 4-0 late in the second period, all Poulin could do was watch, betraying no emotion and with her chin in her hand when shown on a videoboard.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
In an effort to make up for betraying Simon to the Department of Damage Control, Trevor decided to save his new BFF by publicly taking the blame for the explosion, pretending to once again be the fake terrorist, the Mandarin.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Through heightened control of imagery and mood, attention to composition and texture and sound, Manuel turns this simple, languid setting into something far more sinister without ever betraying the beauty of what’s onscreen.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
At the same time, he was criticized by prominent political prisoners and other Iranian activists and citizens for betraying his country by supporting the Israeli strikes and failing to condemn them.
—Eric Lob, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
By voting to pave the way for the mine, Zinke is betraying sportsmen and public-land users, says Land Tawney, co-chair of American Hunters and Anglers.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 21 Jan. 2026
In effect, by criticizing the lower courts, a handful of Supreme Court justices are coming dangerously close to betraying, rather than protecting, the rule of law.
—Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
The ponyatiya of Putin’s youth generally meant never betraying your gang and always standing up for your friends.
—Andrew Ryvkin, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2025
Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
Yet when Canada fell behind 4-0 late in the second period, all Poulin could do was watch, betraying no emotion and with her chin in her hand when shown on a videoboard.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
In an effort to make up for betraying Simon to the Department of Damage Control, Trevor decided to save his new BFF by publicly taking the blame for the explosion, pretending to once again be the fake terrorist, the Mandarin.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Through heightened control of imagery and mood, attention to composition and texture and sound, Manuel turns this simple, languid setting into something far more sinister without ever betraying the beauty of what’s onscreen.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
At the same time, he was criticized by prominent political prisoners and other Iranian activists and citizens for betraying his country by supporting the Israeli strikes and failing to condemn them.
—Eric Lob, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
By voting to pave the way for the mine, Zinke is betraying sportsmen and public-land users, says Land Tawney, co-chair of American Hunters and Anglers.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 21 Jan. 2026
In effect, by criticizing the lower courts, a handful of Supreme Court justices are coming dangerously close to betraying, rather than protecting, the rule of law.
—Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
The ponyatiya of Putin’s youth generally meant never betraying your gang and always standing up for your friends.
—Andrew Ryvkin, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betraying
Verb
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That led to a 10-minute interruption at the Estadio da Luz, with referee Francois Letexier crossing his arms to signal that racist abuse had been reported by Vinicius.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Some are migrants, carrying passport stamps or refugee status, but crossing international borders is incidental to—rather than definitive of—what invisible exile means.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With shifting perspectives, Superfan excels at revealing the toxic — and lonely — side of fan culture.—
Tiffany Kelly,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Feb. 2026
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OpenAI first released ChatGPT in late 2022, revealing the huge commercial potential of AI large language models that could help write emails and computer code and answer questions.—
Matt O'Brien,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ian Somerhalder’s character delights in seducing aggro closeted dudes.—
Ky Henderson,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
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This is so outrageous that even Creepy Professor Oliver McCreepenstein, a middle-aged married man currently seducing his 17-year-old student, is aghast.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Avoid a tourist trap by choosing one displaying the official sticker of a Guignol marionette.—
John Brunton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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From the arched shelves displaying thread, canvases and pins inside the small shop to the paint on the walls and exterior of the business, nothing has been accomplished alone.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Only the magnetic Ksenia (Vikander) is beyond his control, tempting him away from this dangerous game.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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As Mercury stations retrograde in your sign, confidence wavers and old narratives resurface, tempting you to retreat or overexplain.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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During a singing performance, its facial expressions appeared strikingly lifelike, showing how expressive robotics continues to evolve.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, this may be showing kids that mental and emotional health are no less important than physical health.—
Sarah Cottrell,
Parents,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Across state lines, a key Indiana state spending committee voted unanimously Thursday to establish a northwest Indiana stadium authority, another step toward potentially luring the Chicago Bears out of Illinois.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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During this time Gertler discovered a talent for luring investors.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Plenty of competitors have popped up in recent years, but the Velazquezes are hoping to stand out by demonstrating the value of their 16 years of experience.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
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Emily Ratajkowski is pausing her regular lingerie programming for a barely-there athleisure interlude—and demonstrating how loungewear can be just as sexy.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Betraying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betraying. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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