as in treachery
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another
the terrible betrayal of having her best friend reveal her confidences to others
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Recent Examples of betrayal
Even some ultra-secularists, who saw in Erdoğan a betrayal of the Turkish republic, sided with the president, celebrating his iron fist against Kurdish activists and lawmakers.
—
Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
For Avila, who helps lead a federation of Zacatecan migrant groups that over decades has raised tens of millions of dollars for public work projects back home, the whole thing stung of betrayal.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
There is no mistaking the tragedy of Roper killing his own son for Teddy’s betrayal.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Bundy finds this ideological betrayal totally baffling.
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for betrayal
Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
For Avila, who helps lead a federation of Zacatecan migrant groups that over decades has raised tens of millions of dollars for public work projects back home, the whole thing stung of betrayal.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
There is no mistaking the tragedy of Roper killing his own son for Teddy’s betrayal.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Bundy finds this ideological betrayal totally baffling.
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for betrayal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betrayal
Noun
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Perfidy — from the French perfidie via the Latin perfidia — means deceitfulness, treachery or a breach of faith or promise.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
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But despite all this, not every Chelsea fan outside his family will regard this transfer as treachery.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Until now, the idea that the secretary of defense would accuse a lawmaker of treason simply for disagreeing with him would be laughable.—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
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Saudi Arabi accused the UAE of supporting the separatists, and smuggling the STC leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, who is wanted for treason, out of Yemen and flying him to Abu Dhabi.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Betrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betrayal. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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