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.
"He feels Harry has betrayed him. He's made that clear."
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
While others burned brightly for a short time before being betrayed by their bodies, he was a picture of consistency through the early days of his career.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
What stayed with those who heard the evidence was not the criminal offences alone that hurt families - it was how Bush betrayed them at their most vulnerable.
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026
The singer has has rarely spoken or betrayed reactions to testimony.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Boaz backed away from both, his gaze shifting restlessly between the two identical versions of the girl he’d willingly given his neck to, the girl he had betrayed and nearly had buried.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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.
