as in to betray
to be unfaithful or disloyal to
the band sold out its faithful followers, abandoning its edgy style for a more commercial sound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in betrayal
the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another
the sellout makes it much harder for me to trust you ever again
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 sell (out)
James Boyd, New York Times, 18 May 2025
But on Friday night, in front of a deafening sellout crowd, the Knicks met the moment.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Who will ever forget when a sellout crowd of 62,000 fans piled into the stadium for City’s inaugural MLS match against New York City FC?
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Under Francis, the Vatican in 2018 inked a controversial agreement with Beijing governing the appointment of bishops, which many conservatives decried as a sellout of the underground Chinese Catholics who had remained loyal to Rome during decades of communist persecution.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sell (out)
Noun
The Chicago Sky forward had just been on the other end of a flagrant foul committed by Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, and the sellout crowd filled with Fever fans let Reese have it.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 18 May 2025
But on Friday night, in front of a deafening sellout crowd, the Knicks met the moment.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Who will ever forget when a sellout crowd of 62,000 fans piled into the stadium for City’s inaugural MLS match against New York City FC?
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Under Francis, the Vatican in 2018 inked a controversial agreement with Beijing governing the appointment of bishops, which many conservatives decried as a sellout of the underground Chinese Catholics who had remained loyal to Rome during decades of communist persecution.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sell (out)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sell (out)
Verb
-
After her family and community betray her, Victoria takes refuge in the wilderness, finding the strength to rebuild her life.—
Bridget Crocker,
People.com,
3 June 2025
-
But then the Unfairly Ever After came through with a delicious twist — the winning villain betrays the Magic Mirror, as villains do.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
Press play below to learn more about Wells’ treachery, and to get a sneak peek at the fugitive interacting with her latest target.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Sinners is one of the great vampire movies of the modern age, mining the legend of these perpetual outsiders who desperately yearn to belong, but whose silky promises are rooted in treachery.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Lee’s campaign has asserted that a sitting president cannot be criminally prosecuted, except in cases of treason.—
Jong Eun Lee,
The Conversation,
29 May 2025
-
The cost of failure would have been death on the grounds of treason.—
Daniel Twining,
National Review,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sell (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sell%20%28out%29. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share