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betrayal

betrayal

197 3.9
An act of not being loyal to someone, for example telling their secrets or helping an enemy
  • noun
  • /bɪˈtreɪəl/
translation icon : traición
  • Many consider treachery and betrayal as the worst offenses in a friendship.
  • act of betrayal
  • sense of betrayal
  • feelings of betrayal

And if I don't, that's like a betrayal to their memory.

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Examples

  • But Maxwell saw it as the ultimate betrayal.

  • It's a story about loyalty, betrayal, fear and greatness.

  • That was the most betrayal I have ever felt.

  • It's one of loss, betrayal and pain.

  • Where we are today may be a betrayal of who we are.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Sometimes it happens when the ultimate betrayal of trust happens.

  • The memory of this betrayal.

  • Loyalty is a moral habit, just as betrayal is a moral vice.

  • I'm most shocked and saddened by this betrayal.

  • There was ice in Christina's heart, put there by the betrayals of her parents and friends.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

treachery
vsbetrayal
46 7.5

To betray someone's trust or loyalty

focuses especially on revealing secrets or aiding enemies
disloyalty
vsbetrayal
13 4.1

Not supporting a person, group, or cause who trusts you

is the actual act that breaks trust not merely the general quality
double cross
vsbetrayal
  • Informal
5 6.6

To betray someone after pretending to help them

is broader not limited to acts that follow a false show of support
double-crossing
vsbetrayal
5 7.4

An act of betraying someone who trusted you after pretending to help them

covers all acts of breaking trust not only those following false cooperation
perfidy
vsbetrayal
  • Formal
4 9.9

A dishonest act that breaks someone's trust

highlights acts involving revealing secrets or helping enemies rather than general deceit
breach of trust
vsbetrayal
4 6.7

To break the trust someone gives you by acting dishonestly or failing a duty

focuses more on revealing secrets or aiding enemies rather than duty failure
backstabbing
vsbetrayal
  • Informal
3 6.7

Acting secretly to hurt someone you seem friendly with

is the general breaking of trust not specifically secret or personal
backstab
vsbetrayal
  • Informal
1 7.8

A secret betrayal by someone you trust

is the broader act of breaking trust not only secret personal harms
perfidiousness
vsbetrayal
  • Formal
9.9

A way of acting that is disloyal and betrays someone's trust

refers to the specific act of breaking trust rather than the lasting quality
traitorism
vsbetrayal
9.9

The act of betraying your country or people by helping their enemies

focuses on the single act of breaking trust not the general behavior or state
traitorousness
vsbetrayal
8.8

Being disloyal to your country, friends, or cause

is about the act of breaking trust in specific events rather than character
act of Iscariotism
vsbetrayal
  • Literature
9.9

To betray someone for money or personal gain

is the general act of breaking trust not limited to money motives
unfaith
vsbetrayal
  • Archaic
9.7

Lack of loyalty that breaks trust between people

emphasizes specific acts like revealing secrets or helping enemies

Antonyms

699 1.0

Strong belief that a person or thing is honest and reliable

503 1.3

Strong and lasting support for a person, group, or idea

How Serious

treason
  • Formal
183 7.8
betrayal
197 3.9

Surface Forms

betrayal singular
betrayals plural

Morphology

betrayal = betray (transparent) = betray + al

Standard nominalization: '-al' forms a noun meaning 'the act or result of betraying' from the verb 'betray'.

Etymology

The word betrayal comes from the old Latin parts be- and tradere, where tradere means 'to hand over'. So a betrayal is like handing someone to an enemy, or giving away their trust or secrets.