Synonyms for Betray & Similar Words
Definition of betray
- verb
- reveal unintentionally; "Her smile betrayed her true feelings"
- 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"
14 synonyms found
Writing tips for "betray"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like cheat, cuckold, deceive can replace "betray" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 14 alternatives available, "betray" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Betray" in song lyrics
See how betray is used in real songs:
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"How could you think to betray"
Diamonique f/ Dirty Bird, Sly Boogy — Da Get Back -
"PaChino, thou shall never betray"
Dom PaChino (P.R. Terrorist) f/ Black Fire — My Right Hand -
"determination I refuse to betray"
Toby (of Inverse) f/ Deacon the Villain — Sunshine Blues