betray

verb

bi-TRAY/bɪˈtɹeɪ/

7 meanings of betray

1
verbtransitive
To be false to a person who trusts you.
Like promising to keep a friend's secret, then breaking your word.
He betrayed his closest friend by lying to her for years.
Never betray the people who count on you.
Similardouble-cross, deceive, fail
2
verbtransitive
To hand someone over to an enemy by breaking their trust.
Like telling the other team exactly where your teammate is hiding.
The guard betrayed the prisoners to the invading army.
Would you betray your own soldiers just to save yourself?
3
verbtransitive
To show something by accident, often a feeling you wanted to hide.
Like a red face showing you are embarrassed even when you stay quiet.
Her trembling hands betrayed her fear.
Try not to let your face betray what you are thinking.
Similarreveal, show, expose, indicate
Oppositehide, conceal, mask, disguise
4
verbtransitive
To break someone's trust by telling a secret you promised to keep.
Like telling the class a secret your best friend trusted only to you.
She betrayed her sister by sharing the secret with the whole school.
Don't betray a friend who told you something in private.
Similarexpose
Oppositeprotect
5
verbtransitive
To tell a secret on purpose, breaking the trust of the person who shared it.
Like passing along a private note you swore you would never read aloud.
He betrayed their plans to the rival company.
She would never betray a confidence shared by a close friend.
Similarreveal, disclose, divulge, leak
Oppositeconceal
6
verbtransitive
To mislead someone, leading them into trouble or error.
Like a sign that points the wrong way and sends you down a bad road.
False promises betrayed many investors into risky deals.
A bad map can betray hikers into dangerous terrain.
Similarmislead, lure
7
verbtransitive
To win someone's love with false promises and then leave them.
Like someone who promises to marry you, then runs off once they get what they want.
He betrayed her with promises of marriage, then disappeared.
Men who betray trusting young women earned harsh judgment in those days.
Similarjilt

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English betrayen, meaning to commit treason against someone. It is made of be- plus tray, meaning to betray.