to betray

Examples

• All

• His expression betrayed a sense of uncertainty that he tried to hide from the audience.

• His eyes had lost their luster, worry betrayed by the shrunken skin of his face.

  Fiction book (1992)

• So I had to basically betray myself in in a way in order to make that happen.

• - One of you is about to betray me.

  Judas (2004)

• - I would never betray you.

  Jane Austen's Mafia! (1998)

• This is the only man who I might speak to who I know would not betray me.

  The Other Boleyn Girl (2003)

• Do you feel betrayed by her at the end?

• Your voice betrays so many things about you.

  The Diary Of A CEO

• His letters to the general and others betray a desire to crush the rebels.

  Academic text (2008)

• Not by a flicker of an eyelash did Annabelle betray that she knew he was watching her.

  Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

R

to reveal

vsto betray

∞ 2.3

Show something that was hidden or secret

is narrower, meaning accidental or unconscious showing rather than planned telling

E

to expose

vsto betray

413 4.1

Reveal hidden facts or bad actions to people

is about accidental signs or slips rather than planned public revelation

L

to leak

vsto betray

293 4.1

To tell secret information to the public without permission

is about personal signs or slips rather than public disclosure

G

to give away

vsto betray

130 3.4

Tell a secret on purpose or by accident

specifies accidental or unconscious showing rather than deliberate acts

S

to spill

vsto betray

94 4.5

To reveal secret information, often by mistake

often happens without pressure through small actions or looks

L

to leak out

vsto betray

30 3.7

People find out secret information without permission

is more about small personal signs or slips, not public disclosures

L

to let out

vsto betray

27 3.7

Tell secret or private information to other people

focuses on accidental showing through words, looks, or actions rather than general sharing

L

to let slip

vsto betray

23 5.6

Accidentally tell someone something you want to keep secret

also shows feelings or facts through actions and looks

S

to spill the beans

vsto betray

• Informal

18 6.0

Tell a secret by accident before others know

is used for disclosure of secrets rather than subtle signs

L

to lay bare

vsto betray

13 5.5

To show something hidden so people can see it

is more about accidental, subtle signs rather than full, public exposure

L

to let the cat out of the bag

vsto betray

• Informal

4 5.1

To tell a secret that should be kept

also applies to physical signs or feelings, not only secrets

D

to disclose

vsto betray

3 4.0

Make something visible by removing a cover

often happens without conscious intent through small actions or looks

B

to blow the surprise

vsto betray

• Informal

2 6.5

Tell a secret and spoil a planned surprise

is used more widely for reveals beyond planned surprises

G

to give the game away

vsto betray

1 5.5

To tell a secret by accident and spoil a surprise

also covers signs, feelings, or appearance beyond plans

B

to blab out

vsto betray

• Informal

1 7.9

To tell a secret carelessly or without meaning to

includes nonverbal or subtle showing, not just careless talking

B

to bewray

vsto betray

• Archaic

1 9.9

To make a secret known often without meaning to

is the neutral modern form rather than the old-fashioned term

T

to tip one's hand

vsto betray

• Informal

7.9

To show your plans or ideas too early to others

covers signs of feelings or facts as well as plans

Antonyms

C

to conceal

179 3.7

To hide something so others cannot see or find it

S

to safeguard

55 3.7

To protect someone or something from harm

How Clearly

to expose

413 4.1

to divulge

52 6.2

to reveal

∞ 2.3

to betray

38 4.2

to show

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology