Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of betraying: The action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person, often involving a violation of trust or confidence.
   • The quality of aiding an enemy: The characteristic or state of deliberately helping an enemy or opponent, often while pretending to be loyal.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • His disclosure of state secrets was an act of ultimate betrayal.
  • The general felt the soldier's collaboration with the enemy was a profound betrayal.
  • She could not forgive her friend's betrayal of their shared secret.

Advanced Usage

• "A betrayal of trust": A specific phrase emphasizing the violation of confidence placed in someone.
  • Sharing the confidential email was a complete betrayal of trust.
• "To feel a sense of betrayal": To experience the emotional consequence of being betrayed.
  • After learning the truth, he was overwhelmed by a deep sense of betrayal.

Variants and Related Words

• Betray (verb): To be disloyal to; to reveal secrets or information treacherously.
  • He would never betray his principles.
• Betrayer (noun): A person who betrays someone or something.
  • The betrayer was never identified.

Synonyms

• Treachery: Willful betrayal of trust.
• Perfidy: Deceitfulness; untrustworthiness.
• Disloyalty: Lack of loyalty.

Related Phrases

• Stab in the back: An idiom meaning a treacherous act of betrayal.
  • His criticism felt like a stab in the back.

Noun

1. the quality of aiding an enemy
2. an act of deliberate betrayal