What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
betrayal
Example
His betrayal of his best friend left everyone shocked and hurt. [betrayal: noun]
Example
She felt a deep sense of betrayal when she found out her partner had been lying to her. [betrayal: noun]
backstab
Example
He was devastated when he discovered that his colleague had been backstabbing him to get a promotion. [backstabbing: verb]
Example
She never expected her supposed friend to backstab her by spreading rumors about her. [backstab: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Betrayal is more commonly used than backstab in everyday language. Betrayal is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while backstab is less common and carries a stronger negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between betrayal and backstab?
While betrayal can be used in both formal and informal contexts, backstab is typically associated with a more informal tone and is commonly used in casual conversations or informal writing.
