betrayal
[ bih-trey-uhl ]
/ bɪˈtreɪ əl /
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noun
the act of exposing or delivering someone to an enemy through treachery or disloyalty:This security leak was an inexcusable betrayal of an ally whose very existence is now threatened.
the act of disappointing a person’s trust, hopes, or expectations:Imagine what a betrayal it is each time a rape victim finds out that her fellow citizens, and our legal system, are just not there for her.
the act of revealing information in violation of confidence:The library, which carried books criticizing the regime, was kept in private homes and frequently had to be moved to avoid betrayal of its secret to the local authorities.
failure to keep or honor a promise, principle, cherished memory, etc.:Many of his constituents are unhappy with his promotion of new mining and logging initiatives, seeing it as a betrayal of his green ideals.
an act or instance of unconsciously revealing or displaying some quality or characteristic, typically one preferably concealed:A slight tremor in her hand was the only betrayal of her fear.
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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
OTHER WORDS FROM betrayal
pre·be·tray·al, nounself-be·tray·al, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023