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Betraying - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Betraying means being disloyal or breaking trust, often by revealing secrets, deceiving, or harming someone who relied on you. It implies a deliberate act of unfaithfulness or treachery.

betraying

/bɪˈtreɪɪŋ/ /bɪˈtreɪɪŋ/

Definition:

Exposing disloyalty or breaking trust by revealing secrets or acting against someone's confidence.

Synonyms:

deceiving, double-crossing, backstabbing, misleading

Part of Speech:

verb, present participle

Antonyms:

supporting, protecting

Common Collocations:

betraying a friend, betraying trust, betraying confidence

Derivatives:

betrayal, betrayer

Usage Tips:

Use "betraying" to describe ongoing actions of disloyalty or revealing secrets against someone's trust.

Common Phrases:

stab in the back, sell down the river, Judas kiss

Etymology:

From Middle English "bitrayen," meaning to deceive or mislead, derived from Old French "trair."

Examples:

  • 1. She felt hurt after betraying her best friend’s secret.
  • 2. The spy was caught betraying his country to the enemy.
  • 3. He regretted betraying their trust by sharing private information.
  • 4. Betraying a promise can damage relationships permanently.

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