BETRAY Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'betray' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of betray are disclose , divulge , reveal , and tell . While all these words mean "to make known what has been or should be concealed," betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure. // a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

Q: When is it sensible to use 'disclose' instead of 'betray'?

Although the words disclose and betray have much in common, disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret. // candidates must disclose their financial assets

Q: When can 'divulge' be used instead of 'betray'?

While the synonyms divulge and betray are close in meaning, divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence. // refused to divulge an anonymous source

Q: When could 'reveal' be used to replace 'betray'?

While in some cases nearly identical to betray , reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason. // divine will as revealed in sacred writings

Q: In what contexts can 'tell' take the place of 'betray'?

The words tell and betray are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information. // told them what he had overheard

betray

verb

bi-ˈtrā

Definition of betray

as in to cross

to be unfaithful or disloyal to childhood friends of movie stars often betray them by telling their secrets to the supermarket tabloids

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reveal

to make known (something abstract) through outward signs his face betrayed his exasperation with his nosy neighbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to tempt

to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage she was betrayed by a false show of friendship into covering up the crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb betray differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of betray are disclose, divulge, reveal, and tell. While all these words mean "to make known what has been or should be concealed," betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

When is it sensible to use disclose instead of betray?

Although the words disclose and betray have much in common, disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

candidates must disclose their financial assets

When can divulge be used instead of betray?

While the synonyms divulge and betray are close in meaning, divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

refused to divulge an anonymous source

When could reveal be used to replace betray?

While in some cases nearly identical to betray, reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason.

divine will as revealed in sacred writings

In what contexts can tell take the place of betray?

The words tell and betray are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information.

told them what he had overheard

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of betray The mayor faced criticism on Wednesday both from Jewish groups for his focus on Israel’s military campaign in Gaza on the anniversary and from pro-Palestinian protesters who accused the mayor of betraying the cause. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 But like a bell on a cat, that can betray you at the most inopportune times. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 What Brian and Dougal don’t know is that Lovat has actually double-crossed the MacKenzies; Lovat has secretly aligned with the Crown to betray the Jacobite forces, marching both men directly into a deadly trap. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 Ashley Flynn’s sister, Kayla Keyt, said during her victim statement that her family could not overcome their sense of shock and despair after learning that Flynn betrayed them in such a violent and horrible way. — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for betray

Recent Examples of Synonyms for betray

Verb

Several lawmakers tried to crack down on immigration during the 2026 legislative session, but all but one bill failed to cross the finish line.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
Rival urban commuters often cross the $1,500 threshold when fitted with hydraulic brakes and advanced torque sensors so Lectric’s US$1,099 price tag is head-turning.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of cross

Verb

Alas, right at the film’s finish line, Swanberg backstabs his own commitment to honesty when one of Wendy’s pursuers impresses her with a magical ex machina.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Set in the 1980s, when Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles novels were first released, Rivals is a tongue-in-cheek period drama about the cutthroat world of regional-television franchises, whose characters backstab and smoke and screw with relish.

— Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

Definition of backstab

Verb

Once everything is organized, PocketWise displays upcoming payments on a subscription calendar and sends renewal reminders before charges are due.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026
Blocked from public view for nine years, the mural was finally displayed in 1957.

— David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of display

Verb

Armani’s languid silhouette soon seduced red- and blue-blooded men the world over.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
The second allows the devil to slide into his DMs, utilizing a seduce-and-destroy approach that will eventually lead to Sutskever becoming OpenAI’s resident Chicken Little and the tech industry’s conscientious objector.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of seduce

Verb

What Brian and Dougal don’t know is that Lovat has actually double-crossed the MacKenzies; Lovat has secretly aligned with the Crown to betray the Jacobite forces, marching both men directly into a deadly trap.

— Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Now and then, the series jumps ahead about 60 years, where Blethyn’s Emma, now an incredibly wealthy and powerful department-store mogul, is dealing with double-crossing relatives and an excess of shag carpeting.

— Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2026

Definition of double-cross

Verb

Video on social media showed distressed shopkeepers begging young men to stop stealing their inventory—and those young men pushing them aside to grab shoes and food from their shelves.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
The analysis showed that quantum mechanics does indeed put a speed limit on how quickly different quantum systems can reach a thermal equilibrium.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of show

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bet (on)

betray

betrayal

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“Betray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betray. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of betray

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