betray
Americanverb (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.
- Synonyms:
- uncover, demonstrate, manifest, display
-
to deceive, misguide, or corrupt.
a young lawyer betrayed by political ambitions into irreparable folly.
-
to seduce and desert.
verb
-
to aid an enemy of (one's nation, friend, etc); be a traitor to
to 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; fail
his tired legs betrayed him
-
to show signs of; indicate
if one taps china, the sound betrays any faults
-
to reveal unintentionally
his grin betrayed his satisfaction
-
to reveal one's true character, intentions, etc
-
to lead astray; deceive
-
euphemistic to seduce and then forsake (a woman)
Other Word Forms
- betrayal noun
- betrayer noun
- prebetray verb (used with object)
- self-betraying adjective
- unbetraying adjective
Etymology
Origin of betray
First recorded in 1200–50; from Middle English bitraien, equivalent to bi- be- + traien, from Old French trair, from Latin trādere “to betray”; traitor
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.
Not a bad legacy, considering George Downing is summarized by his biographer thus: “Liar, blackmailer, seducer and thief, this double-dealing shapeshifter would betray both friends and principles without a moment’s misgiving.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026
"It's more comfortable for me because I know that I will not betray myself and not denounce myself."
From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026
But even those betray an iota of human-made whimsy, a sparkle of vulnerability.
From Slate • Jan. 7, 2026
We don’t have to ask if he would betray his wife and kids.
From Salon • Nov. 10, 2025
I was terrified that Momma would betray me and tell Grandma the real reason I was staying home.
From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson
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.
