Vocabulary Spotlight
Betray
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To reveal or expose someone’s trust or confidence; to be disloyal or unfaithful to someone or something.
“He swore he would never betray her secrets, but he did.”
Pronunciation
[bih-trey]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Expose
Mislead
Abandon
Backstab
Antonyms
Support
Defend
Protect
Honor
Related Words
Double-cross
Faithlessness
Word Origin
“Betray” comes from the Old French “betréir,” meaning to deceive or lead astray, which evolved from the Latin word “tradere,” meaning to hand over or deliver. It entered English during the Middle Ages and has retained its association with deception and disloyalty.
Word Family
Noun: Betrayal – The act of betraying someone or something.
Adjective: Betraying – Showing disloyalty or revealing.
Mnemonics
Think of “be-tray” as “be-tricked and betrayed” — someone who betrays often tricks or deceives others.
Industry-specific Usage
Politics
Betrayal is a common term used to describe acts of treason, disloyalty, or backstabbing in political alliances or leadership.
Relationships
In interpersonal contexts, “betray” often refers to the violation of trust, such as infidelity or breaking confidences.
Literature
Many stories use the theme of betrayal to develop complex characters and explore moral dilemmas, creating tension and intrigue.
In Context
To betray someone is a serious act that often leads to a loss of trust and can result in lasting emotional wounds. Betrayal may take many forms, from breaking a promise to revealing confidential information, and is commonly explored in narratives of conflict and drama.