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
The dream scenario, for many fans at least, was for Kingston and Woods’ betrayal of Big E to lead to an in-ring return for Big E, a former WWE Champion.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
In an act of betrayal, Judas led the authorities to Jesus to facilitate his arrest.
—Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
But support for the Democrats plunged in 2010 after its leaders negotiated directly for universal suffrage with officials from Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong – a move seen as a betrayal by other pro-democracy groups.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
First, of course, is the question of how Matty and Olympia will reckon with Julian's betrayal and the complicity of Howard who, in addition to being Olympia's senior, is also her ex-father-in-law.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for betrayal
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
In an act of betrayal, Judas led the authorities to Jesus to facilitate his arrest.
—Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
But support for the Democrats plunged in 2010 after its leaders negotiated directly for universal suffrage with officials from Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong – a move seen as a betrayal by other pro-democracy groups.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
First, of course, is the question of how Matty and Olympia will reckon with Julian's betrayal and the complicity of Howard who, in addition to being Olympia's senior, is also her ex-father-in-law.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for betrayal
Cite this Entry
“Betrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/betrayal. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share