betray
be|tray /bɪtr'eɪ/ (betrays betraying betrayed)
1 [VERB] V n, V n
If you betray someone who loves or trusts you, your actions hurt and disappoint them.
When I tell someone I will not betray his confidence I keep my word...
The President betrayed them when he went back on his promise not to raise taxes.
● betrayer [N-COUNT]
She was her friend and now calls her a betrayer.
2 [VERB] V n, V n to n
If someone betrays their country or their friends, they give information to an enemy, putting their country's security or their friends' safety at risk.
They offered me money if I would betray my associates...
The group were informers, and they betrayed the plan to the Germans.
● betrayer [N-COUNT]
`Traitor!' she screamed. `Betrayer of England!'
3 [VERB] V n
If you betray an ideal or your principles, you say or do something which goes against those beliefs.
We betray the ideals of our country when we support capital punishment.
● betrayer [N-COUNT]
Babearth regarded the middle classes as the betrayers of the Revolution.
4 [VERB] V n
If you betray a feeling or quality, you show it without intending to.
She studied his face, but it betrayed nothing...
≠ conceal
1 [VERB] V n, V n
If you betray someone who loves or trusts you, your actions hurt and disappoint them.
When I tell someone I will not betray his confidence I keep my word...
The President betrayed them when he went back on his promise not to raise taxes.
● betrayer [N-COUNT]
She was her friend and now calls her a betrayer.
2 [VERB] V n, V n to n
If someone betrays their country or their friends, they give information to an enemy, putting their country's security or their friends' safety at risk.
They offered me money if I would betray my associates...
The group were informers, and they betrayed the plan to the Germans.
● betrayer [N-COUNT]
`Traitor!' she screamed. `Betrayer of England!'
3 [VERB] V n
If you betray an ideal or your principles, you say or do something which goes against those beliefs.
We betray the ideals of our country when we support capital punishment.
● betrayer [N-COUNT]
Babearth regarded the middle classes as the betrayers of the Revolution.
4 [VERB] V n
If you betray a feeling or quality, you show it without intending to.
She studied his face, but it betrayed nothing...
≠ conceal