betray

[ bih-trey ]

/ bɪˈtreɪ /

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See synonyms for: betray / betrayed / betraying / betrayal on Thesaurus.com

verb (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.

to deceive, misguide, or corrupt: a young lawyer betrayed by political ambitions into irreparable folly.

to seduce and desert.

OTHER WORDS FOR betray

4 bare, expose, tell, divulge.

6 display, manifest, demonstrate, uncover.

See synonyms for betray on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR betray

4, 6 hide, conceal.

See antonyms for betray on Thesaurus.com

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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”; see traitor

OTHER WORDS FROM betray

be·tray·al, nounbe·tray·er, nounpre·be·tray, verb (used with object)self-be·tray·ing, adjective

un·be·tray·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use betray in a sentence

Otherwise, it betrayed no sign that snow would finally fall on the morrow.
On Saturday, blue sky gave few signs of gathering storm|Martin Weil|January 31, 2021|Washington Post
The dimming and wobbling of TOI-178′s star betrayed the presence of six exoplanets packed tightly together.
These 6 exoplanets somehow orbit their star in perfect rhythm|Charlie Wood|January 27, 2021|Popular-Science
Some — composed of hastily torn cardboard, crammed, messy Sharpie writing and excesses of duct tape around the edges — betray the sense of urgency that went into their creation.
At Baltimore’s Reginald F. Lewis Museum, a show on recent history that’s urgently of the moment|Kelsey Ables|January 27, 2021|Washington Post
The latter theme is sometimes punctuated with anecdotes from distraught parents who have been led to believe that their children are being betrayed by an unenlightened educational establishment.
Is there really a ‘science of reading’ that tells us exactly how to teach kids to read?|Valerie Strauss|January 26, 2021|Washington Post

Considered more closely, however, the two days betrayed their differences.
Tuesday, Inauguration Eve, was a lot like Friday, yet different|Martin Weil|January 20, 2021|Washington Post
Apple used to count Google as an ally, but now views Google as a sneaky betrayer.
Apple’s Move to Spite Google and Use Its Own Map Software Hurts Customers|Dan Lyons|June 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If I see anything that toucheth me, shall I come forth a betrayer of myself presently?
Discoveries Made Upon Men and Matter|Ben Jonson
Her pride did not even allow her to admit that the girl had gone away after her betrayer.
The Life of Thomas Wanless, Peasant|Alexander Johnstone Wilson
He was back in the office forthwith, and in the next morning's issue denounced his betrayer.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete|Albert Bigelow Paine
It had been horrible to fancy for a moment that this man whom she despised in her heart could be her mother's betrayer.
Guy Kenmore's Wife and The Rose and the Lily|Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller
No inconsistency about a woman betrayed executing vengeance on her betrayer!
The Substitute Prisoner|Max Marcin

British Dictionary definitions for betray

betray

/ (bɪˈtreɪ) /

verb (tr)

to aid an enemy of (one's nation, friend, etc); be a traitor toto 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; failhis tired legs betrayed him

to show signs of; indicateif one taps china, the sound betrays any faults

to reveal unintentionallyhis grin betrayed his satisfaction

betray oneself to reveal one's true character, intentions, etc

to lead astray; deceive

euphemistic to seduce and then forsake (a woman)

Derived forms of betray

betrayal, nounbetrayer, noun

Word Origin for betray

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

betray

OTHER WORDS FOR betray

OPPOSITES FOR betray

Origin of betray

OTHER WORDS FROM betray

Words related to betray

How to use betray in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for betray

Derived forms of betray

Word Origin for betray