Synonyms of betrays

betrays

verb

present tense third-person singular of betray

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

• crosses
• sells (out)
• two-times
• backstabs
• double-crosses
• stabs in the back
• shops
• sells down the river
• gives away
• goes back on
• informs (on)
• splits (on)
• tells (on)
• snitches (on)
• turns in
• rats (on)
• peaches

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protects
• defends
• saves
• shields
• stands by
• guards
• safeguards

2

as in reveals

to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

his face betrayed his exasperation with his nosy neighbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reveals
• displays
• shows
• demonstrates
• evinces
• exposes
• manifests
• communicates
• declares
• bespeaks
• discloses
• gives away
• announces
• sounds
• uncovers
• proclaims
• bares
• advertises
• publicizes
• airs
• uncloaks
• broadcasts
• unbosoms
• blazes
• trumpets
• projects
• placards

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• belies
• misrepresents
• distorts
• falsifies
• disguises
• twists
• camouflages
• conceals
• obscures
• hides
• covers
• gilds
• garbles
• masks
• occludes
• glosses (over)
• varnishes
• whitewashes
• veils
• counterfeits

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

• tempts
• seduces
• persuades
• entices
• lures
• beguiles
• solicits
• leads on
• allures
• fascinates
• decoys
• baits
• traps
• entraps
• ensnares
• enchants
• captivates
• draws in
• enmeshes
• snows
• inveigles
• meshes
• catches
• magnetizes
• tangles
• snares
• bewitches
• charms
• ropes (in)
• wiles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warns
• cautions
• alerts
• drives (away or off)
• forewarns
• turns away
• wards (off)
• repulses

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of betrays

If one betrays secrets for money, their sale reveals that people within elite institutions are out for themselves, looking to profit from insider positions. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

The treatment of those on board betrays that promise—and it is not limited to just this one ship on this one very long deployment. — Andrea N. Goldstein, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Daeron betrays Ormund after being officially knighted by him earlier in the episode, and the two never get a proper goodbye. — Matt Minton, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

People don’t do what they’re supposed to, or someone betrays someone else for money or power or spite, or maybe a dragon just disobeys its rider and decides to murder a prince. — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Yes, Lyssa withdraws her nomination for Surgeon General, her husband betrays her, and her oncologist best friend, Judith, throws herself into the Potomac during a Tashlich service. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 31 July 2026

And there's a saying in America, if someone betrays you, you've been sold down the river. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 July 2026

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