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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of betray
From the start, there was a sense of unease in the house, and despite attempts to band together, everyone quickly betrayed each other.
—
Liza Esquibias, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Most of the goodwill toward this person who has lied to and betrayed a lot of people who care about him comes directly from his unexpectedly sweet and meaningful relationship with Dr. King.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
The series details how betrayed the students felt to be spied on by an institution they were supposed to trust, and the impact on their mental health and development.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
Their procedural only ups the ante as the boys raid a KKK rally (one of the members is played by Michael Shannon), and Mike betrays his best friend two times over — accidentally shooting him in the rump and secretly dating his younger sister, DEA Special Agent Syd (Gabrielle Union).
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for betray
Liza Esquibias, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Most of the goodwill toward this person who has lied to and betrayed a lot of people who care about him comes directly from his unexpectedly sweet and meaningful relationship with Dr. King.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
The series details how betrayed the students felt to be spied on by an institution they were supposed to trust, and the impact on their mental health and development.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
Their procedural only ups the ante as the boys raid a KKK rally (one of the members is played by Michael Shannon), and Mike betrays his best friend two times over — accidentally shooting him in the rump and secretly dating his younger sister, DEA Special Agent Syd (Gabrielle Union).
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for betray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betray
Verb
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The only way to cross it and not be seen was to first hike a couple of hundred yards toward the lake so that the very pine lot the tom was in would block his view.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
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In 2023, there were some days when more than 10,000 people crossed.—
Jason Allen,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In September 2023, another investigation with Webb – an advanced telescope launched in 2021 outfitted with powerful infrared instruments – revealed something more: traces of carbon-bearing molecules in K2-18b's atmosphere, including methane and carbon dioxide.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Whether this season was simply a speed bump on their way to getting there or a concerning indication of things to come will be revealed soon.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Category extension: Beyond time pieces, time objects Being resilient also means finding new ways to be relevant for consumers who might have an abundant watch collection and might be much more difficult to tempt with new ones.—
Stéphane JG Girod,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Again, Lewandowski is coming short and tempting the right-sided centre-back higher up the pitch.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Police allege Balmer broke into the southern wing of the residence, entering a room often used to entertain crowds and display art, and set a fire using a homemade incendiary device.—
Marc Levy,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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All were displayed in an austere room designed for examining art works—an oddly formal space for an encounter with one’s past.—
Bruce Handy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The musical’s first act opens with the Moulin Rouge on the verge of closing, unless Satine can seduce a wealthy duke into becoming its patron — but for the moment, these financial woes are hidden behind the club’s glamorous veneer.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
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Sherri Parlay, a good woman with a high libido, is seduced into murder by the beguiling heir to a dry-cleaning fortune.—
Sara Gran,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Monday's filing showed the investigations began April 1 and the tariffs would be imposed under the authority of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which grants the president such power to protect national security.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2025
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Photos of the aftermath show a portion of the building devastated by the fire, with furniture destroyed and the floor covered in ash.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Another factor that might hamper Chelsea’s attempts to persuade Rak-Sakyi to stay is what has happened to his brother, Jesurun.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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The administration is expected to return to the Supreme Court quickly in an effort to persuade the justices to lift their temporary order.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This is the second view of political leadership: double-cross, cheat, bully, cajole, break the conventions and rules – do whatever works!—
John Nemec,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2025
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These are the women who seduce (or are seduced by) Bond, assist in his missions, and/or double-cross him.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Betray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betray. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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