Showing results for "betrayed"

• past participle of betray.
• past tense form of betray.

betrayed

American  

[bih-treyd] / bɪˈtreɪd /

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.

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• unbetrayed
  adjective

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

See Examples For:

betrayed

"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

“It was just a safe place for us to change. And he betrayed our trust,” he added.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

A stunned Emma wonders who could have betrayed her so intimately, and why.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

“I guess he likes you,” I said, somehow feeling a bit betrayed.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate

Related Words

• misled
• tricked