Betrayal Meaning
/bɪˈtɹeɪəl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act of betraying.
Sentence Examples
This report confirms his betrayal.
She boiled over with rage at his betrayal.
CEFR Practice Quiz
His close friend's ____ was a devastating shock, as he had trusted him completely.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ of his trust left him feeling very sad and alone today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English betray Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English betrayal From betray + -al.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But by the same token, an exclusive menu of betrayals is likely to be a starvation diet."
— 1995 May 3, Robert Grudin, “Treasonable Matter”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:
"The betrayal of our friends in Taiwan began with President Carter’s decision to terminate the mutual defense treaty with Taiwan that Congress had ratified in 1954."
— 2005, Jesse Helms, Here's Where I Stand: A Memoir, New York: Random House, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 106:
"One of our own has joined with the alien. If you see him, do not hesitate to let him know what the Roekaar think of this betrayal."
— 2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Received message: A Traitor:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
His close friend's ____ was a devastating shock, as he had trusted him completely.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ of his trust left him feeling very sad and alone today.