betrayed
Americanadjective
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delivered or exposed to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty.
After being double-crossed by one of his own, the betrayed agent sought retribution against the intelligence service.
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not guarded, maintained, or fulfilled faithfully.
The political history of that nation is a painful one, full of betrayed promises and almost continuous war.
-
having one’s hopes or expectations disappointed, especially through abandonment or unfaithfulness.
For a betrayed spouse, the affair can be the most devastating experience of a lifetime.
-
revealed or disclosed in violation of confidence.
In the underground economy, a betrayed secret is lethal to any operation.
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deceived, misguided, or seduced.
I’m expecting a thunderous reaction from the betrayed public as the disastrous effects of these policies strike them personally.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of betrayed
First recorded in 1605–15; betray ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; betray ( def. ) + -ed 1 ( def. ) for the verb sense
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Betrayed" - that was the word Sir Keir used to describe what Lord Mandelson had done to the country, to Parliament and to the Labour Party.
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026
Betrayed and exiled from his kingdom, lion cub Simba must figure out how to grow up and take back his royal destiny on the plains of the African savanna.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2021
Betrayed by others, they betray in turn, forever tunneling back through the past, seeking the meaning of their acts.
From New York Times • Nov. 19, 2018
Betrayed: While you do not owe your former friend a meeting of any kind, it can be a good idea to accept another person’s offer to “clear the air.”
From Washington Post • Mar. 18, 2016
‘By someone who we were helping. Betrayed by those who are greedy enough to look after their own skin and throw everyone else to the wolves.’
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
