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- pronunciation:
- bih
treI
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Parts
part of speech: |
transitive verb |
inflections: |
betrays, betraying, betrayed |
definition 1: |
to be disloyal to; commit treason against.
The spy felt pressure to betray his own country, but he remained loyal.- synonyms:
- double-cross, sell out
- similar words:
- inform on, let down, rat on
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definition 2: |
to be unfaithful to.
They say he betrayed the gang by associating with rival gang members.His wife did not want to believe that her husband would betray her.The witness betrayed her pledge to remain silent.- similar words:
- breach, double-cross, two-time, violate
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definition 3: |
to reveal unintentionally.
The look in his eyes betrayed his true intentions.- synonyms:
- disclose, divulge, give away, reveal, spill
- antonyms:
- conceal, hide
- similar words:
- demonstrate, evidence, evince, manifest, register, show, tell, uncover, unveil
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definition 4: |
to fail to fulfill (hopes, expections, or the like).
Her repeated injuries caused her to betray her youthful promise.He betrayed his parents' hopes when he decided against becoming a priest.- synonyms:
- disappoint
- similar words:
- beat, bilk, dash, foil, frustrate, thwart
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definition 5: |
to mislead.
He was betrayed by ambition.- synonyms:
- delude, dupe, mislead
- similar words:
- beguile, bluff, deceive, trick
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related words: |
belie, break, desert, forsake, reveal, tattle |
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derivations: |
betrayal (n.), betrayer (n.) |
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