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
This betrays everything America stands for.
—
Grace Meng, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Greenblatt’s myth of a Romantic Marlowe almost singlehandedly pushing England into the Renaissance betrays the principles of New Historicism by shortchanging the roles of so many other key players.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Parisian purists say the move betrays the artistry and craftsmanship of France’s tradition of couture.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Interventionist industrial policy betrays that legacy.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
This must’ve been a dream for someone whose personal style—if not his work—betrays the longing of a hippie born too late (in 1967), and in the wrong place to have been part of the vanguard of the first peace and love trippers.
—Sarah Mower, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2025
Taylor owns the first third of the film with a righteous fury that only betrays an inner vulnerability at the most crucial moments.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Netflix After Jake betrays Vince by tricking him into revealing his whereabouts to Mancuso and his lackey Babbitt (Chris Coy) to protect Vince's daughter Gen (Odessa Young) and get her to safety, Jake rushes to help Vince once again escape a vengeful Mancuso's clutches.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
Surely, the look suggests, my choice betrays a Freudian complex best left uninterrogated.
—Sam Sussman
september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
Grace Meng, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Greenblatt’s myth of a Romantic Marlowe almost singlehandedly pushing England into the Renaissance betrays the principles of New Historicism by shortchanging the roles of so many other key players.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Parisian purists say the move betrays the artistry and craftsmanship of France’s tradition of couture.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Interventionist industrial policy betrays that legacy.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
This must’ve been a dream for someone whose personal style—if not his work—betrays the longing of a hippie born too late (in 1967), and in the wrong place to have been part of the vanguard of the first peace and love trippers.
—Sarah Mower, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2025
Taylor owns the first third of the film with a righteous fury that only betrays an inner vulnerability at the most crucial moments.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Netflix After Jake betrays Vince by tricking him into revealing his whereabouts to Mancuso and his lackey Babbitt (Chris Coy) to protect Vince's daughter Gen (Odessa Young) and get her to safety, Jake rushes to help Vince once again escape a vengeful Mancuso's clutches.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
Surely, the look suggests, my choice betrays a Freudian complex best left uninterrogated.
—Sam Sussman
september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betrays
Verb
-
Nearby, a man crosses the street in what could be the ghastly heart of an endless New York summer.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The trail stays level early on and crosses the road a couple of times before descending through a grove of Arizona cypress to a shallow drainage.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Inside the mule, California shearling brings warmth while a semi-transparent gum sole reveals the ERL logo beneath.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The resulting internal split within the Democratic Party reveals a high-stakes debate about legislative priorities, political strategy, and the practical impacts of government closures nationwide.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Unwind Along the Coast Zanzibar, a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa, tempts with spice tours, rooftop cocktails, and sunset dhow sails.—
Karin Jones,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Sep. 2025
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The device contains, among other things, doorways to other dimensions, including one that tempts Peacemaker with a seemingly storybook version of his broken family.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The second postcard displays a tree that is bursting with coins, as if money is sprouting from the branches.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The map displays the 40 airports required by the FAA to reduce flights, which are primarily major airports in large cities with high volumes of air traffic.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Everything about the scene seduces the viewer into what dining while traveling in the most luxurious fashion could be, and once was.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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In his youth, the blue-eyed Stamp was widely considered one of the most handsome men onscreen, and Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini used that to peculiar effect in Teorema (1968), casting the actor as a nameless and wordless visitor who seduces an entire household.—
Rhett Bartlett,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Dak Brinkley shows pass rushing ability KU freshman defensive end Dak Brinkley recorded the first two sacks of his college career on back-to-back plays in the second quarter.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
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The atlas shows routes spanning from Spain to Syria, connecting more than 5,000 ancient settlements.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the final confrontation, Tea persuades Miran to surrender, arguing that doing so will protect his family.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
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The poet titillates, commands by images—and only thus persuades.—
Elaine L. Wang
September 11,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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No wonder, then, that voters cling to the fantasy of the self-effacing candidate—the kind who demonstrates his worthiness of the office by not wanting it at all.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
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The leadership, spearheaded by Seth, consistently demonstrates a commitment to doing what’s right for the consumer, which speaks volumes about their integrity and dedication.—
Jennie Bell,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Betrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betrays. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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