Betray

Pronunciation: /bɪˈtreɪ/

Definitions of betray

verb to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty

Example Sentences

A1 She felt betrayed when her friend told her secret to everyone.

A2 He betrayed his team by sharing their game strategy with the opponent.

B1 The spy was afraid of being betrayed by his own government.

B2 The company CEO felt betrayed by his most trusted employees when they started their own competing business.

C1 The politician's decision to switch parties was seen as a betrayal by his supporters.

C2 The double agent betrayed both sides by leaking classified information to the media.

Examples of betray in a Sentence

formal The spy decided to betray his country and share classified information with the enemy.

informal I can't believe she would betray her best friend like that.

slang He totally backstabbed me and betrayed my trust.

figurative The dark clouds betray the incoming storm.

Grammatical Forms of betray

• past tense: betrayed
• plural: betray
• comparative: more betraying
• superlative: most betraying
• present tense: betrays
• future tense: will betray
• perfect tense: have betrayed
• continuous tense: is betraying
• singular: betrayer
• positive degree: betray
• infinitive: betray
• gerund: betraying
• participle: betrayed

Origin and Evolution of betray

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old French

Story behind the word: The word 'betray' originated from the Old French word 'betrayer' which came from the Latin word 'tradere' meaning 'to hand over.'

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'betray' has evolved to encompass not just the act of handing over or revealing secrets, but also the act of being disloyal or unfaithful to someone's trust.