betray

[bəˈtɹeɪ]

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betrayed - betray

A betrayal is when someone breaks their promise or trust with you, often in a way that hurts or disappoints you deeply. It can also mean to reveal a secret that was meant to remain hidden.

When people betray each other, it's usually because of some kind of conflict or disagreement. A friend might betray your trust by sharing something private without asking first, or an employee might betray their company's secrets for personal gain. Sometimes, betrayal is more about actions than intentions - for example, a cheating spouse can be said to have betrayed the marriage vows they promised to uphold. In general, when someone does something that breaks the bond of friendship, loyalty, or commitment, it can feel like a painful betrayal.

How common is "betray"?

Word betray is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

verb

To deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or fraud, in violation of trust; to give up treacherously or faithlessly.
Example: an officer betrayed the city
To prove faithless or treacherous to, as to a trust or one who trusts; to be false to; to deceive.
Example: My eyes have been betraying me since I turned sixty.
To violate the confidence of, by disclosing a secret, or that which one is bound in honor not to make known.
To disclose or indicate, for example something which prudence would conceal; to reveal unintentionally.
Example: Though he had lived in England for many years, a faint accent betrayed his Swedish origin.
To mislead; to expose to inconvenience not foreseen; to lead into error or sin.
To lead astray; to seduce (as under promise of marriage) and then abandon.

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Real examples of "betrayed" in context

The ENTIRE HISTORY of Bill Cipher from Gravity Falls!

Entertainment

Feeling betrayed and more terrified than ever, Ford would do his best to hide all the research he'd recorded in the three journals.

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betray

How common is "betray"?

verb

Real examples of "betrayed" in context

The ENTIRE HISTORY of Bill Cipher from Gravity Falls!

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