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

The double life of an informant is a peculiar one, filled at the same time with tedium and betrayal.

—Karen Richardson

Even 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

2

: revelation of something hidden or secret

a betrayal of one's true feelings

There was never doubt, never a betrayal of indecision.

—Jack London

… she had shrunk with irresistible dread from every course that could tend towards a betrayal of her miserable secret.

—George Eliot

Synonyms

• backstabbing
• business
• disloyalty
• double cross
• faithlessness
• falseness
• falsity
• infidelity
• perfidy
• sellout
• treachery
• treason
• two-timing
• unfaithfulness

Examples of betrayal in a Sentence

the terrible betrayal of having her best friend reveal her confidences to others

Recent Examples on the Web

The betrayal of Ukraine by President Donald Trump was hardly unexpected, but its execution—brazen, humiliating, and incredibly public—has left Europeans in shock. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

If you’ve been hurt before—through rejection, betrayal or emotional invalidation—exposing your emotions again can seem unbearable. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

Lesser novelists would build interest around the reveal, but Puchner is fascinated by the consequences, rather than the decisions themselves, and the consequences of Cece and Garrett’s betrayal of Charlie are profound. —John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025

Growing up in a Russian ballet academy, the sisters go through the growing pains of adolescence and ambition until a shocking betrayal charts them on separate, fractured courses. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing betrayal

• self-betrayal

Rhymes for betrayal

• portrayal