1
as in crosses
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 reveals
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 tempts
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 betrays
The Ghoul betrays Lucy during the journey, but does, eventually redeem himself, somewhat.
—
The Deadline Team, Deadline, 10 June 2026
Much contemporary anti-glamour sentiment betrays a strain of misogyny, even when wielded by women of good intent.
—Eileen G'sell, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
Critics argue that the wanton use of such a powerful tool at best, betrays the dignity of the office and, at worst, spreads confusion and misinformation during times of national anxiety.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Below, Akinnuoye-Agbaje breaks down the climactic episode, explaining why Alamo decides to let Rue kill herself and why Bishop betrays him.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 1 June 2026
This seemingly innocent proposal betrays how little some politicians think of American seniors.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 24 May 2026
Don’t skip eye cream The under-eye area is often the first place that betrays a late night or an early alarm.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Sometimes a small chink in your camouflage betrays you to a wary tom.
—Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026
After Sugar betrays her, Barbara cuts her friend off for decades, despite missing her deeply.
—Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
The Deadline Team, Deadline, 10 June 2026
Much contemporary anti-glamour sentiment betrays a strain of misogyny, even when wielded by women of good intent.
—Eileen G'sell, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
Critics argue that the wanton use of such a powerful tool at best, betrays the dignity of the office and, at worst, spreads confusion and misinformation during times of national anxiety.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Below, Akinnuoye-Agbaje breaks down the climactic episode, explaining why Alamo decides to let Rue kill herself and why Bishop betrays him.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 1 June 2026
This seemingly innocent proposal betrays how little some politicians think of American seniors.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 24 May 2026
Don’t skip eye cream The under-eye area is often the first place that betrays a late night or an early alarm.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Sometimes a small chink in your camouflage betrays you to a wary tom.
—Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026
After Sugar betrays her, Barbara cuts her friend off for decades, despite missing her deeply.
—Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betrays
Verb
-
The gastrocnemius, in particular, crosses the back of your knee joint.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
8 June 2026
-
The tour begins at Dos Lokos in Westport, crosses the state line to Cortadito Cuban Cafe in Kansas City, Kansas, weaves to Tacos Valentina in the Crossroads, Union Station and back to party at the Mexican sports bar.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
When a radio wave passes through, the atoms respond in a way that reveals the field’s strength, direction, and movement in three dimensions.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
-
One of the more startling nuggets the doc reveals concerns Paul Bateson, the former radiological technician convicted of Verrill’s murder.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Doue and Dembele also drop into midfield, while Kvaratskhelia is his usual destructive self off the left, rounding off a nightmare of rotations and raw running power that tempts defences out of their shape before smashing through.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Frida is the most significant secondary figure — the person who tempts Gabrielle away from her trajectory, making her pause and ponder roads not taken.—
Jon Frosch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Fahd Abu Haikal, 41 displays a mobile photo of his seven month old Palestinian baby boy Sam.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
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Many of their performances are blasphemous, and their work only displays hate and mockery of Catholics and the Christian faith.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Data from Denver Animal Protection shows officers responded to 1,439 animal cruelty calls and 2,713 neglect calls through the first part of 2025, both up from the same period in 2024.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
One photo shows the fragments of a bomb.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The entity warns a sleepwalking Donnie that the world will end in approximately 28 days and subsequently persuades him to carry out an escalating series of crimes in his community.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
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In an underdeveloped twist, Clark persuades his skeptical assistant, Kat (Lukita Maxwell), and her more gullible boyfriend, Bobby (Finn Bennett), to enter the Backrooms with him, armed with Bobby’s camcorder.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Verb
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This inequality demonstrates a particular kind of economic and political harm that targets racially diverse and politically progressive young people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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The format Liu helped build demonstrates how pharmaceutical brands can advance health equity not through advertising alone, but through cultural partnerships and community presence.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Betrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betrays. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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