betray

verb transitive

UK /bɪˈtreɪ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	betray
he/she/it	betrays
present participle	betraying
past tense	betrayed
past participle	betrayed

1
if you betray your country, or if you betray someone who needs your support, you deliberately do something that harms them or helps their opponents
In wartime many people accused of betraying their country were executed.
She realized that one of her friends must have betrayed her.
Synonyms and related words
To be cruel or unkind to someone
abuse
mistreat
oppress
1. 1a
  if you betray someone’s trust, you do harm to them when they have trusted you
  They felt their assistant had betrayed their trust in publishing his diaries.
  Synonyms and related words
  To cause problems for someone or something
  let down
  hold back
  embarrass
2
if you betray your beliefs or principles, you do something that does not agree with them
She had betrayed all her beliefs and told a lie.
Synonyms and related words
To change your opinion, attitudes or behaviour
change your mind
see reason/sense
adapt
3
to show something or give a sign of something
Rabbits betray their presence with fresh soil outside their burrow.
Synonyms and related words
To be a sign or symbol of something
signify
stand for
symbolize
1. 3a
  if you betray a feeling or quality that you want to hide or that you are not aware of, your words or face make it clear to people
  His comments betray a lack of understanding.
  The woman’s face betrayed no emotion.
  Synonyms and related words
  To show or express emotions
  show
  display
  manifest
2. 3b
  if you betray a secret, you tell it to people who do not have the right to know it
  Synonyms and related words
  To tell or reveal a secret or secrets
  reveal
  tell
  let on

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