What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
betrayed
Example
She felt betrayed when her best friend shared her personal diary with others. [betrayed: past tense]
Example
The spy was afraid of being betrayed by his fellow agents. [betrayed: verb]
deceived
Example
He felt deceived when he discovered that the product he bought was a fake. [deceived: past tense]
Example
The magician's tricks deceived the audience into thinking they were witnessing real magic. [deceived: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deceived is more commonly used than betrayed in everyday language. Deceived can be applied to a wider range of situations, including scams or business dealings, while betrayed is more specific to personal relationships.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between betrayed and deceived?
Both betrayed and deceived can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, deceived may be slightly more formal due to its broader usage in various situations.
