Betrayal
Knife from behind
Betrayal is the violation of trust or loyalty.
Someone who reveals a secret, abandons an ally, or breaks a promise commits betrayal.
The word carries strong emotional weight—betrayal by a close friend or family member wounds more deeply than betrayal by a stranger.
She never recovered from his betrayal.
The spy's betrayal cost dozens of lives.
Deliberate violation of trust
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- infidelityDisloyalty to a partner
- adulteryMarried person's sexual betrayal
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
backstabbing · two-timing · unfaithfulness · affair · cuckoldry · deception · lying · double life
Betraying one's nation
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- defectionAbandoning one's loyalty
- seditionInciting revolt against government
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
coup · insurrection · collaboration · informant · mole · double agent · turncoat · quisling
Covert betrayal of trust
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- secretConcealed information
trust · friendship · loyalty · broken promise · two-faced · snitch · tattletale · false friend
Archetypal betrayer name
- BrutusRoman who killed Caesar
- DelilahTreacherous biblical woman
- Benedict ArnoldAmerican defector to Britain
- thirty piecesPayment for treachery
Iago · kiss · Cain · serpent · apple · Eden · Faust · Lancelot
Cause or feel pain
- woundCoiled, or an injury
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- griefIntense sorrow from loss
- angerIntense hostile emotion
resentment · bitterness · shock · disbelief · devastation · heartache · despair · humiliation
treachery
Deliberate violation of trust
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- infidelityDisloyalty to a partner
- adulteryMarried person's sexual betrayal
cheating · backstabbing · two-timing · unfaithfulness · affair · cuckoldry · deception · lying · double life · emotional affair
treason
Betraying one's nation
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- defectionAbandoning one's loyalty
- seditionInciting revolt against government
conspiracy · coup · insurrection · collaboration · informant · mole · double agent · turncoat · quisling · fifth column
backstabbing
Covert betrayal of trust
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
secret · trust · friendship · loyalty · broken promise · two-faced · snitch · tattletale · false friend · frenemy
Judas
Archetypal betrayer name
- BrutusRoman who killed Caesar
- DelilahTreacherous biblical woman
- Benedict ArnoldAmerican defector to Britain
Iago · thirty pieces · kiss · Cain · serpent · apple · Eden · Faust · Lancelot · Guinevere
hurt
Cause or feel pain
anger · resentment · bitterness · shock · disbelief · devastation · heartache · despair · humiliation · shame
- PinterThe Room, No Man's Land, Ashes to Ashes, Moonlight, pauses
- Classic PlaysHamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet
Betrayalloyalty
Faithful commitment to another
faithfulness · fidelity · allegiance · devotion · trustworthiness
Betrayalkeeping faith
Remaining true to commitments
allegiance · commitment · dedication · promise-keeping · having someone's back
Betrayalhonor
High regard, moral dignity
integrity · protection · defense · sacrifice · self-sacrifice
- betrayal of trustBreaking promised loyalty
- family betrayalDisloyalty among kin
- love and betrayalDevotion paired with its violation
- betrayal traumaDistress when depended-upon harms
- betrayal arcStory of broken loyalty
- betrayal storyStory featuring disloyalty