ENGLISH
REFERENCE

betrayal

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //bɪˈtɹeɪəɫ// UK //bɪtɹˈeɪəl// be·tray·al

n. an act of hurting someone who trusts you, such as a friend or partner. It happens when you break a promise or help an enemy.

n. the act of violating trust, confidence, or an inherited bond of loyalty. Often involves aiding an adversary or failing to uphold a moral or personal commitment.


SIMPLE

Sharing her secret with the whole school was a huge betrayal.

CONTEXTUAL

He felt a deep sense of betrayal when he discovered his business partner had been stealing from the company.

COMPLEX

The novel explores the psychological impact of political betrayal, focusing on how a single informant's actions destroyed an entire underground resistance movement.

Synonyms
Origin

From betray + -al.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the abstract concept of disloyalty; countable when referring to specific instances or acts.

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