Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for betray

betray

[ bih-trey ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty:

    Benedict Arnold betrayed his country.

  2. to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling:

    to betray a trust.

  3. to disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to:

    to betray one's friends.

  4. to reveal or disclose in violation of confidence:

    to betray a secret.

    Synonyms: divulge, tell, expose, bare

    Antonyms: conceal, hide

  5. to reveal unconsciously (something one would preferably conceal):

    Her nervousness betrays her insecurity.

  6. to show or exhibit; reveal; disclose:

    an unfeeling remark that betrays his lack of concern.

    Synonyms: uncover, demonstrate, manifest, display

    Antonyms: conceal, hide

  7. to deceive, misguide, or corrupt:

    a young lawyer betrayed by political ambitions into irreparable folly.

  8. to seduce and desert.


betray

/ bɪˈtreɪ /

verb

  1. to aid an enemy of (one's nation, friend, etc); be a traitor to

    to betray one's country

  2. to hand over or expose (one's nation, friend, etc) treacherously to an enemy
  3. to disclose (a secret, confidence, etc) treacherously
  4. to break (a promise) or be disloyal to (a person's trust)
  5. to disappoint the expectations of; fail

    his tired legs betrayed him

  6. to show signs of; indicate

    if one taps china, the sound betrays any faults

  7. to reveal unintentionally

    his grin betrayed his satisfaction

  8. betray oneself
    to reveal one's true character, intentions, etc
  9. to lead astray; deceive
  10. euphemistic.
    to seduce and then forsake (a woman)
“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


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • beˈtrayal, noun
  • beˈtrayer, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

  • be·tray·al noun
  • be·tray·er noun
  • pre·be·tray verb (used with object)
  • self-be·tray·ing adjective
  • un·be·tray·ing adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of betray1

First recorded in 1200–50; from Middle English bitraien, equivalent to bi- be- + traien, from Old French trair, from Latin trādere “to betray”; traitor
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of betray1

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

Example Sentences

His eyes betray his fear for his daughter and so does his voice.

ISIS abducts boys, breaks them down, forces them to betray their families, then hopes to recruit them into its ranks.

Jones said that as far as he can tell, the article did not betray any secrets.

Three times,” he says angrily, “thou shalt betray me ere the cock crows.

The very source of his tremendous talent and athleticism seemed to betray him.

Any exaggeration into which a feeling of indignation happens to betray the accuser is instantly pounced upon.

Even the stern, inflexible commander turned to hide an emotion he would have blushed to betray.

His only chance of ultimate recovery was to push boldly forward, and to betray no fear of failure.

But all men at times betray themselves, and some betrayals, if scarcely clever, are not without nobility.

I betray my beloved parent's confidence, to save you from a certain and ignominious death.

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


touched by, bebetrayal