betrayal
something disloyal that someone does to a person, group, or country that trusted them
An act of serious disloyalty that breaks trust or harms a person, group, country, or cause that expected loyalty.
the hurt and anger you feel when someone betrays you
The painful feeling or sense that someone you trusted has been disloyal, dishonest, or unfair to you.
an action that goes against important beliefs, promises, or responsibilities
An act or decision that goes against an important promise, duty, principle, value, or ideal.
telling secret information to someone when you should keep it private
The act of revealing secret or confidential information, especially to someone who should not receive it.
a small sign that shows a feeling or thought someone is trying to hide
A sign that reveals something hidden, such as an emotion, thought, weakness, or bias, often unintentionally.
- Base: betrayal
- Plural: betrayal, betrayals
betrayal of the public trust
1abuse of public responsibility
when officials misuse the power or trust given to them by the public
- The judge called the bribery scheme a betrayal of the public trust.
- Voters saw the cover-up as a betrayal of the public trust.
- Using public office for private gain is often described as a betrayal of the public trust.
- Taking bribes is a betrayal of the public trust.
betrayal of trust
1violation of someone's trust
something dishonest or disloyal that breaks another person's trust
- Reading her private messages was a serious betrayal of trust.
- The manager's use of company funds for personal expenses was a betrayal of trust.
- For many patients, the data leak felt like a betrayal of trust.
- Lying to your friend was a betrayal of trust.
- Sharing the secret was a betrayal of trust.
betrayal trauma
1trauma from trusted person's betrayal
deep emotional harm caused when someone you rely on betrays you
- Some survivors describe betrayal trauma after abuse by a trusted caregiver.
- Therapists may discuss betrayal trauma when a partner discovers long-term deception.
- The scandal caused betrayal trauma for people who had depended on the institution.
- He experienced betrayal trauma after years of lies.
the ultimate betrayal
1worst possible betrayal
the worst kind of betrayal in a situation
- To her, his affair with her best friend was the ultimate betrayal.
- Fans called the owner's plan to move the team the ultimate betrayal.
- For the workers, closing the factory after promising new jobs felt like the ultimate betrayal.
- She felt his lie was the ultimate betrayal.