1
as in to cross
to be unfaithful or disloyal to
childhood friends of movie stars often betray them by telling their secrets to the supermarket tabloids
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reveal
to make known (something abstract) through outward signs
his face betrayed his exasperation with his nosy neighbor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to tempt
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
she was betrayed by a false show of friendship into covering up the crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of betray
Each represents a pillar of American life where public trust has eroded and where people increasingly feel betrayed, exploited, or abandoned.
—
Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
However, in the tactical competition this case and the dozens of other civil cases of abuse and assault involving Combs is for the lawyers, the feds’ silence may betray the expectation that Tuesday’s correspondence could be an opening move by the defense in a longer play.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 July 2025
Become a Subscriber Magnus is an MI6 agent who has betrayed England by spying for the Czechs, but now the Americans are onto him.
—Honor Jones, The Atlantic, 22 July 2025
The police betray each other, the gangsters betray each other and Nam-hyeok can’t even trust his own informant.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for betray
Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
However, in the tactical competition this case and the dozens of other civil cases of abuse and assault involving Combs is for the lawyers, the feds’ silence may betray the expectation that Tuesday’s correspondence could be an opening move by the defense in a longer play.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 July 2025
Become a Subscriber Magnus is an MI6 agent who has betrayed England by spying for the Czechs, but now the Americans are onto him.
—Honor Jones, The Atlantic, 22 July 2025
The police betray each other, the gangsters betray each other and Nam-hyeok can’t even trust his own informant.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for betray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betray
Verb
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As the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States, Flathead Lake extends for about 200 square miles, and visitors to Wild Horse Island must cross some of that clear water by boat.—
Anna Staropoli,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Aug. 2025
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This is their first significant break since departing from Quebec City, crossing the North Atlantic, and flying south through Europe, all in formation with aircraft spaced about 10 minutes apart.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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It was previously revealed that Amy Pascal and David Heyman will also serve as producers.—
Lauren Huff Published,
EW.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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As tensions rise between the two strong-willed women, buried histories and generational trauma come to the surface, revealing a powerful story of resilience, legacy, and the bonds that survive even in the face of destruction.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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You might be tempted to jump on your soapbox and convince someone to agree with you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
28 July 2025
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If these savings alone weren't enough to tempt you, then the fact that these drones are now at their lowest-ever prices might.—
Alexander Cox,
Space.com,
28 July 2025
Verb
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Often mistaken for king snakes or milk snakes, coral snakes display distinctive red, yellow, and black rings encircling their bodies.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
31 July 2025
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These products are perfect for displaying on a mantel or placing by a bowl of Halloween candy.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 July 2025
Verb
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After the show's season 27 premiere included a scene in which Trump, who was depicted twice with small genitals, attempted to seduce Satan in his bedroom at the White House, members of the president's team released a statement to EW criticizing South Park.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
30 July 2025
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Following a near two-and-a-half-year hiatus, the premiere episode shows a naked Trump trying to seduce Satan, and came a day after the show's creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had reached a $1.5 billion streaming deal with Paramount.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Play the Long Game: His 23-year tenure as principal and 40-year term as a councilman show that lasting change is a marathon, not a sprint.—
Stephanie Tharpe,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Chandler suggested blacking out personal and medical information in its report, but Kiser's team wanted to remove details from two pages that Kelley said would show the public why police recommended Emilie Kiser's husband, Brady Kiser, be charged with Class 4 felony child abuse.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Eventually, the victim is persuaded to contact an IT security representative, who, in fact, is part of the ransomware operation.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
26 July 2025
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During an interview with The Standard, Ozzy admitted that even though he was intoxicated during the violent incident, that didn't persuade him to stop drinking.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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The shark punch is one sight gag among many, and Lorenzo Semple Jr.'s daffy script makes room for a delirious double-crossing romance, with Lee Meriwether's Catwoman undercover as a Wayne-attracting Soviet.—
Devan Coggan,
EW.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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Consider, for instance, the elimination of Jennifer Hudson on season 3 of American Idol or when MJ David was double-crossed by JT Tamburello and Trishelle Cannatella on season 2 of the Traitors.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Time,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Betray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betray. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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