betray
verb (transitive)
UK/bɪˈtreɪ/US/bɪˈtreɪ/
To be disloyal or unfaithful to someone or something; to reveal information or emotions, often unintentionally.
Example Sentences
She promised to keep the secret, but she betrayed her friend by sharing it with others.
He couldn’t believe that the man he had always looked up to would betray their shared cause.
The slight twitch in his eye betrayed his true feelings of anxiety, despite his calm demeanor.
During a tense interrogation, the captive soldier refused to betray his comrades, safeguarding the sensitive information that could have compromised the entire mission.
In politics, individuals sometimes betray their allies if they see an opportunity to increase personal power, often justifying their actions with questionable logic and moral compromise.
She felt deeply hurt when her business partner betrayed her trust by secretly selling company secrets to a competitor.
Subtle shifts in tone and posture can betray a person’s hidden emotions, revealing unspoken truths lurking beneath an otherwise composed surface.
They later discovered that the insider had betrayed them weeks before, leaking confidential files to their fiercest rival.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To be disloyal or reveal confidential information, damaging someone’s trust.“Betray” generally refers to violating trust or turning against someone who relied on you. This can involve disclosing secrets—“He betrayed her confidence by telling everyone her plans”—or acting in a way that opposes loyalty—“She felt betrayed when her partner took credit for her work.” It can also describe unintentionally revealing an emotion or truth, as in “His eyes betrayed his nervousness.” In any usage, “betray” implies a sense of broken faith or disappointment. Typically, one “betrays” a friend, partner, or cause by failing their expectations or confidence. Because “betray” has such a strong connotation of personal hurt, it often appears in narratives about relationships, alliances, or deeper moral conflicts. In real life, you might say someone “betrayed me” if they spread your secrets, went behind your back, or undermined your interests. As a verb, “betray” underscores the feeling of being wronged after showing vulnerability or trust.
Alternatives
If you’re looking to avoid repeating “betray,” consider “double-cross,” which emphasizes intentional deceit, often in crime or spy contexts. “Deceive” works for misleading someone, but doesn’t always imply broken trust—just lying or trickery. “Backstab” captures a more colloquial and dramatic sense of treachery. “Sell out” highlights revealing inside information or compromising a group for personal gain. “Break faith with” is more formal or literary, emphasizing the moral dimension of disloyalty. Depending on context—casual or formal, mild or intense—these alternatives shift the focus between betrayal as a malicious act, a strategic deception, or a painful emotional break. Select one that best depicts the nature and impact of the disloyal act—“double-cross” for cunning betrayal, “deceive” for simpler lies, “backstab” for personal relationships, and “break faith with” for solemn or moral emphasis.
Writing
When incorporating “betray” in writing, consider the emotional and relational stakes. Who is betraying whom, and why is it significant? If you’re telling a story, build up the trust or bond first—when betrayal happens, the sense of shock and hurt feels more potent. For instance, “After confiding in her closest ally, she never expected him to betray her by selling secrets to their rivals.” When describing the aftermath, convey the emotional impact—“She couldn’t grasp the depth of his betrayal, replaying every moment they’d shared in her mind.” You can also use “betray” figuratively, such as “His trembling voice betrayed his fear,” showing how body language inadvertently reveals something the speaker hoped to conceal. Whether the betrayal is personal, political, or internal, layering backstory or motivation heightens tension. Keep in mind the level of severity: a minor slip of confidence can be a betrayal, but a large-scale double-cross can shape entire plot lines or character arcs. By honing in on motive, consequence, and emotional fallout, you capture the gravity of what it means to betray or be betrayed.
Casual Conversation
In everyday talk, “betray” often appears in discussions about gossip, drama, or relationships. A friend might say, “I can’t believe she betrayed me like that—she told everyone my secret,” emphasizing hurt and shock. Or you might complain jokingly, “You went to that restaurant without me? Betrayal!” even if you’re not truly upset. If you’re talking about a show or movie, you might describe how a character’s friend turned on them, saying, “He really betrayed her in the latest episode.” The word naturally carries strong emotional weight, so in casual contexts, it sometimes comes off hyperbolic—like calling a small slight a betrayal. Still, it’s common enough when describing broken trust—someone violated a pact, a friend shared private info, or a partner was unfaithful. We also use “betrayed” in a minor sense for giving away an emotion—“My face betrayed my excitement.” So while “betray” is typically serious, we adapt it to everyday life for anything from big betrayals to playful exaggerations about smaller offenses or slip-ups.
Etymology
“Betray” originates from Middle English “betraien,” influenced by the Old French “trair” (to deliver or hand over), tied to Latin “tradere,” meaning “to hand over or surrender.” Over time, English added the prefix “be-” for emphasis, forming “betray” as we know it—signifying the act of handing someone or something over to an adversary or harmful outcome. Historically, it referred to treason, disclosing secrets, or committing treachery against a lord or sovereign. In modern contexts, though, “betray” spans anything from serious treason to minor personal letdowns or inadvertent reveals. The connotation endures: it’s fundamentally about violating someone’s trust, “handing them over” to harm, or exposing their vulnerabilities for personal gain or out of negligence. This resonates with the word’s root: to betray is, quite literally, to deliver or surrender another’s confidence or safety into the wrong hands, breaking faith with them in the process.