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
There’s a subtle sense that taking pleasure in domesticity might be a betrayal of my values—as if nurturing children, or even enjoying something as benign as baking, plays into oppressive tropes.
—Samantha Mann, Time, 5 June 2025
Financial elder abuse victims Financial elder abuse victims suffer affects to their psychological, emotional and physical well-being, such as feelings of betrayal, fear, guilt, depression and anxiety, according to the grand jury report.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Trust Exercise isn’t about immigration, but Choi’s comment conveyed the broad sense of betrayal that underlies Karen’s anger at her abuser and his admirers.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 3 June 2025
The ruling is viewed by many in the Cuban-American community as a profound betrayal.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
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Samantha Mann, Time, 5 June 2025
Financial elder abuse victims Financial elder abuse victims suffer affects to their psychological, emotional and physical well-being, such as feelings of betrayal, fear, guilt, depression and anxiety, according to the grand jury report.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Trust Exercise isn’t about immigration, but Choi’s comment conveyed the broad sense of betrayal that underlies Karen’s anger at her abuser and his admirers.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 3 June 2025
The ruling is viewed by many in the Cuban-American community as a profound betrayal.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 June 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 11 Jun. 2025.
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