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
One professor challenged that reasoning, which Casas repeated during the panel on Wednesday, telling the police chief that for students with fragile immigration statuses, being detained by university police would feel like a betrayal.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
In the aftermath, Mahnaz will be forced to confront betrayal and loss, and to embark on a quest for justice.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 May 2025
Speaking of Nick, June faces a lot of betrayal this season by certain men that she’s come to trust.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
Even Bo Hao, whom Lu eventually tracks down, is revealed to have committed his betrayal only to pay his gravely ill mother’s medical bills.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for betrayal
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Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
In the aftermath, Mahnaz will be forced to confront betrayal and loss, and to embark on a quest for justice.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 May 2025
Speaking of Nick, June faces a lot of betrayal this season by certain men that she’s come to trust.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
Even Bo Hao, whom Lu eventually tracks down, is revealed to have committed his betrayal only to pay his gravely ill mother’s medical bills.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 May 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 1 Jun. 2025.
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