Synonyms in Detail: betraying and backstabbing Usage & Differences

What context can I use each word in?

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

betraying

Example

She felt hurt and betrayed when her best friend shared her personal diary with others. [betrayed: past tense verb]

Example

The spy was accused of betraying his country by leaking classified information. [betraying: present participle]

backstabbing

Example

He was shocked to discover that his colleague had been backstabbing him by spreading rumors about him. [backstabbing: gerund]

Example

The politician was known for his backstabbing tactics to eliminate his opponents. [backstabbing: adjective]

Good things to know

Which word is more common?

Betraying is more commonly used than backstabbing in everyday language. Betraying is a broader term that can apply to various contexts, while backstabbing is more specific and often used in interpersonal relationships.

What’s the difference in the tone of formality between betraying and backstabbing?

Both betraying and backstabbing are informal terms. They are typically used in casual conversations or informal writing to describe acts of betrayal or deceit.

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