Betray — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /bi-ˈtrā/ be·tray

Meaning & Definition of Betray

Betray (verb)

  1. to lead astray; especially, seduce
  2. to give information about (a person, group, country, etc.) to an enemy, to commit treachery against
  3. to fail or desert especially in time of need

Betray (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be unfaithful or disloyal to

    "childhood friends of movie stars often betray them by telling their secrets to the supermarket tabloids"

    similar: backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, go back on, sell down the river, stab in the back
    related: give away, inform (on), peach, rat (on), shop (British), snitch (on), split (on) (British), tell (on), turn in
    opposite: stand by
    near: defend, guard, protect, safeguard, save, shield

  2. to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

    "his face betrayed his exasperation with his nosy neighbor"

    similar: bespeak, communicate, declare, demonstrate, display, evince, expose, give away, manifest, reveal, show
    related: bare, disclose, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast, placard, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet, project
    near: belie, misrepresent, distort, falsify, garble, twist, camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, conceal, counterfeit, cover, hide, mask, obscure, occlude, veil

  3. 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"

    similar: allure, bait, beguile, decoy, entice, lead on, lure, seduce, solicit, tempt
    related: draw in, inveigle, persuade, rope (in), snow, catch, enmesh, ensnare, entrap, mesh, snare, tangle, trap, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, fascinate, magnetize, wile
    near: alert, caution, forewarn, ward (off), warn, drive (away or off), repulse, turn away

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Betray

The most common words with a similar meaning to Betray:

backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, bespeak, communicate, declare, demonstrate, display, evince, expose, give away, manifest, reveal, show, allure, bait, beguile, decoy, entice, lead on, lure, seduce, solicit, tempt, go back on, sell down the river, stab in the back

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Betray

Words with the opposite meaning of Betray:

stand by

Related Words for Betray

inform (on), peach, rat (on), shop, snitch (on), split (on), tell (on), turn in, bare, disclose, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast, placard, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet, project, draw in, inveigle, persuade, rope (in), snow, catch

Near Antonyms of Betray

defend, guard, protect, safeguard, save, shield, belie, misrepresent, distort, falsify, garble, twist, camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, conceal, counterfeit, cover, hide, mask, obscure, occlude, veil, alert, caution, forewarn, ward (off)

Word Forms of Betray

Inflections: betrayed, betraying, betrays

Derived words: betrayer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Betray

Middle English, from be- + trayen to betray, from Anglo-French trahir, from Latin tradere traitor

First known use: 13th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Betray

Words & Phrases Containing Betray

betray nothing, betray someone's friendship, betray someone's trust

Frequently Asked Questions about Betray

What does "Betray" mean?

"Betray" means to lead astray; especially, seduce. As a verb, it is defined as: to lead astray; especially, seduce. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Betray"?

Other words for "Betray" include backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, bespeak, communicate and declare. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Betray" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Betray"?

There are 73 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Betray". Common alternatives include backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, bespeak, communicate, declare, demonstrate and display.

What is the opposite of "Betray"?

Antonyms of "Betray" include stand by. Near antonyms include defend, guard, protect and safeguard.

How do you use "Betray" in a sentence?

Examples of "Betray" in a sentence: "childhood friends of movie stars often betray them by telling their secrets to the supermarket tabloids"; "his face betrayed his exasperation with his nosy neighbor"; "she was betrayed by a false show of friendship into covering up the crime".

Is "Betray" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Betray" is a verb.

Is "Betray" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Betray" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Betray"?

"Betray" is pronounced /bi-ˈtrā/ and divided into syllables as be·tray.