Word
betrayed
Phoneticsbe·trayed, stress on the second syllable
US/bɪˈtɹeɪd/
UK/bɪtɹˈeɪd/
Definitions
01broken trust
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to have hurt someone who trusted you by helping their enemy or being dishonest.
v. to have been disloyal to a person, country, or group by acting in the interest of an opponent.
“He felt hurt because his best friend betrayed his secret to the whole school.”
“The intelligence officer was convicted after it was discovered he had betrayed his country by selling classified documents to a foreign power.”
Usage
Transitive; requires a direct object representing the person or entity whose trust was broken.
Synonyms
02revealed a secret
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to have accidentally shown a feeling or a secret that you wanted to hide.
v. to have unintentionally revealed information or an internal emotional state.
“His shaking hands betrayed how nervous he really was during the interview.”
“Although she maintained a calm and professional exterior, the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her deep anxiety about the board's decision.”
Usage
Often used with abstract subjects like 'eyes', 'voice', or 'expression'.
03feeling hurt by disloyalty
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. feeling sad and angry because someone you trusted was not loyal to you.
adj. experiencing the emotional distress resulting from a violation of trust or a breach of confidence.
“She felt betrayed when she found out they had started the project without her.”
“The employees felt deeply betrayed by the management's sudden decision to outsource their department after years of loyal service.”
Usage
Used as a predicative adjective after verbs like 'feel' or 'look'.
Real-World Examples
“Another NDF member told us he would never forget Tice's expression as he realised he had been betrayed.” “Gianni Infantino told a reporter “I’ll see you at the hairdresser’s” after he was asked whether he had betrayed football over his aborted World Cup sell-off plan.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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