ENGLISH
REFERENCE

betrayed

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //bɪˈtɹeɪd// UK //bɪtɹˈeɪd// be·trayed

v. to hurt someone who trusts you by doing something dishonest or disloyal. You can also use it when you accidentally show a secret feeling you were trying to hide.

v. to violate the trust or confidence of another through disloyalty or treachery. In a secondary sense, to reveal information or emotions unintentionally. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

He felt hurt because his best friend betrayed his secret.

CONTEXTUAL

The general betrayed his country by selling classified military documents to a foreign power.

COMPLEX

Although she maintained a calm and professional exterior during the interview, her trembling hands betrayed her extreme nervousness to the panel.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. When used to mean 'reveal', it often takes an abstract noun like 'secret', 'emotion', or 'origin' as its object.

Pitfall

he betrayed to his friendhe betrayed his friendBetray is a transitive verb; it should be followed directly by the person or thing being betrayed without a preposition.

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