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 EliotExamples of betrayal in a Sentence
the terrible betrayal of having her best friend reveal her confidences to others
Recent Examples on the Web
As is often true of an Allbee play, cracks in the veneer open into chasms of striving, desire, betrayal and raw revelation.
—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
The star sings of betrayal and heartbreak and finding the strength to move on.
—Janine Rubenstein, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
While some conservatives have described the war as a betrayal, many other Republicans have cheered on the president’s actions.
—Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The result is a second victimization — spiritual betrayal by those called to protect.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for betrayal
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Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
The star sings of betrayal and heartbreak and finding the strength to move on.
—Janine Rubenstein, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
While some conservatives have described the war as a betrayal, many other Republicans have cheered on the president’s actions.
—Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The result is a second victimization — spiritual betrayal by those called to protect.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for betrayal
Cite this Entry
“Betrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/betrayal. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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