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
In this big data set spanning seventy-one years, people have become increasingly likely to choose cooperation over betrayal.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
What would be the lasting effects of this betrayal from Helena, and how does that seep into how the characters feel about Helly?
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Feb. 2025
That betrayal then cascaded to a confused arrest, beating, and questioning by Pilate, who by then anticipated rioting.
—Lynne Silva-Breen, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Another Simple Favor takes place in the lead up to Emily’s lavish wedding a wealthy Italian businessman on the island of Capri; murder and betrayal follow.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for betrayal 
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Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
What would be the lasting effects of this betrayal from Helena, and how does that seep into how the characters feel about Helly?
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Feb. 2025
That betrayal then cascaded to a confused arrest, beating, and questioning by Pilate, who by then anticipated rioting.
—Lynne Silva-Breen, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Another Simple Favor takes place in the lead up to Emily’s lavish wedding a wealthy Italian businessman on the island of Capri; murder and betrayal follow.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 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 13 Feb. 2025.
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