betrayal
noun
be·tray·al
bi-ˈtrā(-ə)l 
bē-
plural betrayals
1
: the act of betraying someone or something or the fact of being betrayed : violation of a person's trust or confidence, of a moral standard, etc.
the betrayal of a friend
a betrayal of trust
a betrayal of one's principles
A man who built his entire administration upon demanding unctuous loyalty from his allies now finds himself wounded by their shabby betrayal.—
Jack Hitt
Jack HittThe double life of an informant is a peculiar one, filled at the same time with tedium and betrayal.—Karen Richardson
Karen RichardsonEven Jesus recognized that there was something paradoxical about his betrayal by Judas Iscariot—in three of the four canonical Gospels, with a kiss.—David Gates
David Gates2
: revelation of something hidden or secret
a betrayal of one's true feelings
There was never doubt, never a betrayal of indecision.—Jack London
Jack London… she had shrunk with irresistible dread from every course that could tend towards a betrayal of her miserable secret.—George Eliot
George EliotSynonyms
Examples of betrayal in a Sentence
the terrible betrayal of having her best friend reveal her confidences to others
Recent Examples on the Web
After Rifaat’s betrayal, the anointed was Bassel, the crown prince.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 27 Jan. 2025
Recommended Trump moves from ‘American carnage’ to ‘a horrible betrayal’ in second inaugural
Juries also convicted some on charges of seditious conspiracy, which refers to activities that undermine a state without directly attacking it.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Jan. 2025
My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal, and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed, their freedom.
—Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
And the fact that no one in the party can agree on how to deal with Trump 2.0—or decide if Fetterman’s meeting was a shrewd move, a betrayal, or both—means Democrats are still at a loss for how to prevent more casualties.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
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Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 27 Jan. 2025
Recommended Trump moves from ‘American carnage’ to ‘a horrible betrayal’ in second inaugural
Juries also convicted some on charges of seditious conspiracy, which refers to activities that undermine a state without directly attacking it.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Jan. 2025
My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal, and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed, their freedom.
—Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
And the fact that no one in the party can agree on how to deal with Trump 2.0—or decide if Fetterman’s meeting was a shrewd move, a betrayal, or both—means Democrats are still at a loss for how to prevent more casualties.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for betrayal
Dictionary Entries Near betrayal
Cite this Entry
“Betrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/betrayal. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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