51Թ

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View synonyms for

betray

[bih-trey]

verb (used with object)

  1. to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty.

    Benedict Arnold betrayed his country.

  2. to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling.

    to betray a trust.

  3. to disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to.

    to betray one's friends.

  4. to reveal or disclose in violation of confidence.

    to betray a secret.

    Synonyms: , , ,
    Antonyms: ,
  5. to reveal unconsciously (something one would preferably conceal).

    Her nervousness betrays her insecurity.

  6. to show or exhibit; reveal; disclose.

    an unfeeling remark that betrays his lack of concern.

    Synonyms: , , ,
    Antonyms: ,
  7. to deceive, misguide, or corrupt.

    a young lawyer betrayed by political ambitions into irreparable folly.

  8. to seduce and desert.



betray

/ ɪˈٰɪ /

verb

  1. to aid an enemy of (one's nation, friend, etc); be a traitor to

    to betray one's country

  2. to hand over or expose (one's nation, friend, etc) treacherously to an enemy

  3. to disclose (a secret, confidence, etc) treacherously

  4. to break (a promise) or be disloyal to (a person's trust)

  5. to disappoint the expectations of; fail

    his tired legs betrayed him

  6. to show signs of; indicate

    if one taps china, the sound betrays any faults

  7. to reveal unintentionally

    his grin betrayed his satisfaction

  8. to reveal one's true character, intentions, etc

  9. to lead astray; deceive

  10. euphemisticto seduce and then forsake (a woman)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • betrayal noun
  • betrayer noun
  • prebetray verb (used with object)
  • self-betraying adjective
  • unbetraying adjective
  • ˈٰⲹ noun
  • ˈٰ noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of betray1

First recorded in 1200–50; from Middle English bitraien, equivalent to bi- be- + traien, from Old French trair, from Latin ٰ “to betray”; traitor
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of betray1

C13: from be- + trayen from Old French trair , from Latin ٰ
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She said it hurt to see Latino police officers and federal agents involved in the immigration crackdown and that it was “very heartbreaking seeing your own people betray you.”

From

The undue obsession with a piece of red, green and white cloth betrays this deep-rooted fear by Americans that we Mexicans are fundamentally invaders.

From

“The Burkean response — a representative ‘owes you not his industry only but his judgement, and he betrays you if he sacrifices it to your opinion’ — has some merit.

From

"I don't think anyone can hate Israel as much as I hate it now, because I feel so betrayed by it – and it's my home, it's my country, it's my language, my people, my friends."

From

It was a meeting Biden hoped could bring down the temperature in American politics but the halting introductions betrayed the awkwardness of the moment.

From

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