betrayed
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Again, it was the slider that betrayed Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Trump has told advisers that he is angry with Pirro and felt betrayed by the court filing, the people said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
A stunned Emma wonders who could have betrayed her so intimately, and why.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
For many years Robroyston was mostly farming land, and best known as the location where William Wallace was betrayed and handed over to English soldiers in 1305.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
He had betrayed God and wanted to hide from him, the way children hide, sitting in the open and covering their eyes.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
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.
