betray

[bih-trey]

verb (used with object)

1. to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty.

   Benedict Arnold betrayed his country.

2. to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling.

   to betray a trust.

3. to disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to.

   to betray one's friends.

4. to reveal or disclose in violation of confidence.

   to betray a secret.

   Synonyms: divulge, tell, expose, bare
   Antonyms: conceal, hide

5. to reveal unconsciously (something one would preferably conceal).

   Her nervousness betrays her insecurity.

6. to show or exhibit; reveal; disclose.

   an unfeeling remark that betrays his lack of concern.

   Synonyms: uncover, demonstrate, manifest, display
   Antonyms: conceal, hide

7. to deceive, misguide, or corrupt.

   a young lawyer betrayed by political ambitions into irreparable folly.

8. to seduce and desert.

betray

/ bɪˈtreɪ /

verb

1. to aid an enemy of (one's nation, friend, etc); be a traitor to

   to betray one's country

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

3. to disclose (a secret, confidence, etc) treacherously

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

5. to disappoint the expectations of; fail

   his tired legs betrayed him

6. to show signs of; indicate

   if one taps china, the sound betrays any faults

7. to reveal unintentionally

   his grin betrayed his satisfaction

8. to reveal one's true character, intentions, etc

9. to lead astray; deceive

10. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of betray¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of betray¹

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

Example Sentences

Within hours of arriving in Venice, he begins to suspect that the city itself, with its disorienting streets and shady denizens, is somehow in cahoots with his sphinxlike wife to betray him.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“He betrayed the trust placed in him as a public official who was responsible for working with law enforcement to ensure public safety,” Ryan said in the sentencing memo.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It is reckless and betrays both common sense and public trust.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But that the truth eventually will out is clear from the moment he puts on the phony face, and that at some point, those who trusted him will feel betrayed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I am your justice. And, for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• abandon 
• deceive 
• forsake 
• mislead 
• seduce