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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of betray
Because the fog sometimes turns out to be the actual transmitter of illumination—the clarity rising from within the confusions—any simple summary or attempt to distill objective lessons betrays his mind.
—
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
On Venezuela, Claver-Carone disputed many analysts’ perception that Trump has betrayed the Venezuelan opposition by striking a deportees-for-oil deal with the Maduro regime.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
These bits of satire don’t betray a lack of respect for the films that came before The Monkey so much as an understanding that the King adaptation is in dire need of a refresh.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
Both have now betrayed the trust those allies placed in them.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for betray
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
On Venezuela, Claver-Carone disputed many analysts’ perception that Trump has betrayed the Venezuelan opposition by striking a deportees-for-oil deal with the Maduro regime.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
These bits of satire don’t betray a lack of respect for the films that came before The Monkey so much as an understanding that the King adaptation is in dire need of a refresh.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
Both have now betrayed the trust those allies placed in them.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for betray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betray
Verb
-
Remove any stems that cross one another or appear dead or damaged.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Trump Media sues Brazil Supreme Court justice who once crossed Musk The Department of Justice said that the other cartel leaders and managers extradited by Mexico face charges in the U.S. that include murder, money-laundering, racketeering and drug-trafficking.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, the university revealed on Friday.—
Chantz Martin,
Fox News,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Musk's role in Trump administration The White House revealed on Tuesday that DOGE's acting administrator is Amy Gleason, a former official at the U.S. Digital Service.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
You may be tempted to fall back and go to sleep right then and there.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The way their needs stack up, they may be tempted to spend free-agency dollars, premium draft capital or both on positions that typically do not command such resources.—
Parker Gabriel,
The Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Some proudly display the Israeli flag in their sanctuaries.—
Yonat Shimron,
NPR,
9 Mar. 2025
-
The event was inspired by the Korean pottery displayed in the museum’s Gerstner Collections Core.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Cruz, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' (2009) Woody Allen's romantic comedy stars Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson as friends who travel to Spain and are seduced by a local painter (Javier Bardem).—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Cookbook authors suggested preparing French food at home to seduce a lover.—
Rachel Hope Cleves / Made by History,
TIME,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The first detailed nationwide data on schools’ recovery shows that achievement gaps have widened, with the poorest students the furthest behind.—
Aatish Bhatia,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2025
-
The visual shows Lil Nas X framed in a hot pink Dreamboy doll box.—
Ashley Iasimone,
Billboard,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Mexican residents targeted In 1915, James Rawlings, secretary-manager of the Fort Worth Relief Association, persuaded U.S. immigration agents to investigate Mexican people living in Dallas Alley.—
Richard J. Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Mar. 2025
-
The ethos resonates with Lugano’s down-to-earth yet powerful clientele so much so that the company persuaded eight of its VIPs to star in its latest ad campaign free of charge.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There’s a twist, of course: This Phelps is the villain, double-crossing his team and selling out the IMF.—
Skyler Trepel,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Breathing fire Angry, vengeful, paranoid, a remorseless bully: These are trademark Carollo traits, according to city employees, two of his daughters, citizens who have argued with him and former allies double-crossed by him.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Betray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betray. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share