betrayed

[bih-treyd]

adjective

1. 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.

2. not guarded, maintained, or fulfilled faithfully.

   The political history of that nation is a painful one, full of betrayed promises and almost continuous war.

3. 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.

4. revealed or disclosed in violation of confidence.

   In the underground economy, a betrayed secret is lethal to any operation.

5. 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

1. the simple past tense and past participle of betray.

Other Word Forms

• unbetrayed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of betrayed¹

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

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

Linda said she felt "betrayed" that Rachel was repeatedly given intimate personal care by male carers, despite express wishes from her family for female carers.

From BBC

Sotomayor’s dissent may not carry the force of law, but it carries something older — the moral memory of a Constitution written in hope and too often betrayed in silence.

From Los Angeles Times

Even in that love triangle, we never betrayed Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• misled 
• tricked www.thesaurus.com