reveal unintentionally; "Her smile betrayed her true feelings"
Used in a Sentence
betray
How to use betray in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for betray.
Editorial note
No, not unless we allowed our fear to betray us.
Examples12
Definitions6
Parts of speech1
Quick take
reveal unintentionally; "Her smile betrayed her true feelings"
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of betray gathered in one view.
deliver to an enemy by treachery; "Judas sold Jesus"; "The spy betrayed his country"
disappoint, prove undependable to; abandon, forsake; "His sense of smell failed him this time"; "His strength finally failed him"; "His children failed him in the crisis"
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for betray.
verb
reveal unintentionally; "Her smile betrayed her true feelings"
See also: bewray
verb
deliver to an enemy by treachery; "Judas sold Jesus"; "The spy betrayed his country"
See also: sell
verb
disappoint, prove undependable to; abandon, forsake; "His sense of smell failed him this time"; "His strength finally failed him"; "His children failed him in the crisis"
See also: fail
verb
be sexually unfaithful to one's partner in marriage; "She cheats on her husband"; "Might her husband be wandering?"
verb
give away information about somebody; "He told on his classmate who had cheated on the exam"
verb
cause someone to believe an untruth; "The insurance company deceived me when they told me they were covering my house"
See also: deceive
Example sentences
No, not unless we allowed our fear to betray us.
I've never seen Apple do anything that would betray their customers trust.
Bad as little bits of plastic and "secret numbers" are, my credit cards themselves can't betray me.
I don't think this is wrong in the way the author does, but this does betray a certain internal inconsistency.
It doesn't betray the usual cowardice by hiding the assertion behind the presumptuous Why.
The ones who didn't believe it because they didn't want to believe it do so out of a blind love for Apple, and denial that Apple could betray them.
Dante places Brutus and Cassius in the lowest circle of Hell because they had chosen to betray their friend Julius Caesar rather than their country Rome.
My and her mother keep prodding her to quit, but of course her position in the company is essential and she'd never want to "betray" her employer.
"I realize this was a benefit, but I always thought the main purpose was for privacy --- not to betray to the email sender when I opened the email.
Even with your "charitable reading" it means that he is willing to betray his own set of values, and probably the Constitution, whenever advisers tell him to.
You touch on some interesting concepts that deserve thought...Alas, phrases like "snot-nosed kids", "Google's douche-tsunami" and "little sociopath" betray both personal bias and anger.
By far the most important thing about Privacy Badger is that it's backed and controlled by the EFF, instead of some individual or business that might be tempted in the future to betray users for profits.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use betray in a sentence?
No, not unless we allowed our fear to betray us.
What does betray mean?
reveal unintentionally; "Her smile betrayed her true feelings"
What part of speech is betray?
betray is commonly used as verb.