A few words may betray a man's true character.
Source: tatoeba (29124)
Betray
/bɪˈtɹeɪ/
Synonyms for "betray" (235 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (47)
Strong matches (71)
Related words (117)
leaklet downlet droplet falllet onlet outlet slipmanifestmisguidemisleadmockmouthnarcoutmaneuveroutreachoutsmartoutwitoverreachpeachpigeon
Show 56 more words
play one falsepull a fast onepull output something overraperatravageravishregisterrenegaderevealreveal a secretruinrun outrun out onsecedeseducesellsell outshopshowsingsnaresnitchsnitch onsnowsoilspillspill the beanssplitsquealstabstoolstring alongsuck insullytake intalktattletattle ontelltell ontell secretstell talestestify againsttraptrickturnturn inturn informertwo timetwo-timeuncoverunveilviolatewalk out
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: double-cross, sell, sell out, abuse, apostatize.
- Sentence evidence is available for betray, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, opengloss, wordnet, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "betray".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "betray"
Keep "betray" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "betray" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "betray", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "betray" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
24 entriesShowing 16 of 24 words.
More specific
3 entriesCollocations
5 entriesact of disloyaltyact of treacherybreach of confidencesbreach of trustloss of trust
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriessimilar
1 entriesTranslations
26 translations across 16 languages.
Bulgarian
1 entries- разкривам verb (to disclose or discover)
Catalan
1 entries- delatar verb (to disclose or discover)
Dutch
3 entries- onthullen verb (to disclose or discover)
- verraden verb (to disclose or discover)
- verspreken verb (to disclose or discover)
Finnish
2 entries- kavaltaa verb (to disclose or discover)
- paljastaa verb (to disclose or discover)
German
1 entries- verraten verb (to disclose or discover)
Hungarian
1 entries- elárul verb (to disclose or discover)
Italian
1 entries- rivelare verb (to disclose or discover)
Latin
3 entries- dētegō verb (to disclose or discover)
- oleō verb (to disclose or discover)
- prōdō verb (to disclose or discover)
Persian
1 entries- لو دادن verb (to disclose or discover)
Portuguese
1 entries- revelar verb (to disclose or discover)
Romanian
2 entries- afla verb (to disclose or discover)
- descoperi verb (to disclose or discover)
Russian
2 entries- вы́дать verb (to disclose or discover)
- выдава́ть verb (to disclose or discover)
Serbo-Croatian
3 entries- odati verb (to disclose or discover)
- pronaći verb (to disclose or discover)
- ìzdati verb (to disclose or discover)
Slovene
1 entries- izdati verb (to disclose or discover)
Spanish
2 entries- delatar verb (to disclose or discover)
- demostrar verb (to disclose or discover)
Turkish
1 entries- ele vermek verb (to disclose or discover)
Sample sentences
19 total sentences available.
John is not a man to betray you.
Source: tatoeba (52728)
You are barking up the wrong tree by asking me to betray my country.
Source: tatoeba (250154)
I am not going to betray you.
Source: tatoeba (252920)
Showing 4 of 19 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "betray"?
Closest matches include double-cross, sell, sell out, abuse, apostatize.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "betray"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.