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 of betrayal

• treachery
• treason

Examples of betrayal in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Our Extraordinary Summer by Lori Wilde Estranged sisters Calista and Athena Dempsey are forced to reunite on Hobby Island after their mother’s death, confronting old betrayals and unhealed wounds. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 May 2026

Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, an umbrella organization for the local unions, quickly criticized the bill as a betrayal of working-class Floridians. —Jeffrey S. Solochek, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026

The friendship betrayal/love triangle of Ciara Miller, West Wilson, and Amanda Batula is still being dissected through thousands of TikTok and Instagram comments. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026

The betrayal of Zambada sparked a vicious battle for control of the Sinaloa cartel that has resulted in thousands of deaths. —Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing betrayal

• self-betrayal

Rhymes for betrayal

• portrayal