betray

[ bih-trey ]

/ bɪˈtreɪ /

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See synonyms for: betray / betrayed / betraying / betrayal on Thesaurus.com

Definition of betray

verb (used with object)

to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty: Benedict Arnold betrayed his country.

to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling: to betray a trust.

to disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to: to betray one's friends.

to reveal or disclose in violation of confidence: to betray a secret.

to reveal unconsciously (something one would preferably conceal): Her nervousness betrays her insecurity.

to show or exhibit; reveal; disclose: an unfeeling remark that betrays his lack of concern.

to deceive, misguide, or corrupt: a young lawyer betrayed by political ambitions into irreparable folly.

to seduce and desert.

OTHER WORDS FOR betray

4 bare, expose, tell, divulge.

6 display, manifest, demonstrate, uncover.

See synonyms for betray on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR betray

4, 6 hide, conceal.

See antonyms for betray on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of betray

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English bitraien, equivalent to bi- be- + traien, from Old French trair, from Latin trādere “to betray”; see traitor

OTHER WORDS FROM betray

be·tray·al, nounbe·tray·er, nounpre·be·tray, verb (used with object)self-be·tray·ing, adjective

un·be·trayed, adjectiveun·be·tray·ing, adjective

Words nearby betray

betony, betook, Betoptic S, torn between, be, touched by, be, betray, betrayal, betroth, betrothal, betrothed, Betsiamites

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use betray in a sentence

I can’t stress this too much — rapid-fire squeaks will betray you.
Holiday sex in your parents’ house without getting caught|Michael Alvear|December 15, 2020|Washington Blade
Zurek has brainstormed ways that even these pipsqueaks could betray their presence by influencing the behavior of groups of particles.
The Search for Dark Matter Is Dramatically Expanding|Charlie Wood|November 23, 2020|Quanta Magazine
I was betrayed, taken advantage of, overworked and underpaid.
Trina Braxton To David Adefeso: ‘When You Attack One, You Attack Us All’|Hope Wright|September 17, 2020|Essence.com
We’re calling on journalists to stop circulating sexist labels that betray women’s skills, insights, & lived experiences as leaders.
Trump, in town hall, says he wouldn’t have done anything differently on pandemic|Colby Itkowitz, Josh Dawsey, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 16, 2020|Washington Post

In the new version, Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent, betrayed by her childhood love and wonderfully, campily bitter about it, fixates on his daughter Aurora.
Toward a queer Disney canon|Emily VanDerWerff|September 4, 2020|Vox
His eyes betray his fear for his daughter and so does his voice.
Kobani Still Stands Against ISIS and All Odds. But for How Long?|Jamie Dettmer|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
ISIS abducts boys, breaks them down, forces them to betray their families, then hopes to recruit them into its ranks.
Abducted, Tortured, Indoctrinated: The Tale of a Teen Who Escaped ISIS|Yusuf Sayman|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jones said that as far as he can tell, the article did not betray any secrets.
Fired From Los Alamos for Pushing Obama's Nuclear Agenda|Center for Public Integrity|July 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Three times,” he says angrily, “thou shalt betray me ere the cock crows.
The Stacks: The Judas Priest Teen Suicide Trial|Ivan Solotaroff|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The very source of his tremendous talent and athleticism seemed to betray him.
A Lesson From LeBron James’ Game One Nightmare|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Any exaggeration into which a feeling of indignation happens to betray the accuser is instantly pounced upon.
Children's Ways|James Sully
Even the stern, inflexible commander turned to hide an emotion he would have blushed to betray.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
His only chance of ultimate recovery was to push boldly forward, and to betray no fear of failure.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
But all men at times betray themselves, and some betrayals, if scarcely clever, are not without nobility.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
I betray my beloved parent's confidence, to save you from a certain and ignominious death.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various

British Dictionary definitions for betray

betray

/ (bɪˈtreɪ) /

verb (tr)

to aid an enemy of (one's nation, friend, etc); be a traitor toto betray one's country

to hand over or expose (one's nation, friend, etc) treacherously to an enemy

to disclose (a secret, confidence, etc) treacherously

to break (a promise) or be disloyal to (a person's trust)

to disappoint the expectations of; failhis tired legs betrayed him

to show signs of; indicateif one taps china, the sound betrays any faults

to reveal unintentionallyhis grin betrayed his satisfaction

betray oneself to reveal one's true character, intentions, etc

to lead astray; deceive

euphemistic to seduce and then forsake (a woman)

Derived forms of betray

betrayal, nounbetrayer, noun

Word Origin for betray

C13: from be- + trayen from Old French trair, from Latin trādere

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

betray

Definition of betray

OTHER WORDS FOR betray

OPPOSITES FOR betray

Origin of betray

OTHER WORDS FROM betray

Words nearby betray

Words related to betray

How to use betray in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for betray

Derived forms of betray

Word Origin for betray