Synonyms of adultery

adultery

noun

ə-ˈdəl-t(ə-)rē 

as in cheating

a sexual encounter or relationship between a married person and someone other than their spouse

adultery is the cause of many divorces

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cheating
• misconduct
• infidelity
• treachery
• unfaithfulness
• affair
• romance
• promiscuity
• two-timing
• love
• disloyalty
• intrigue
• faithlessness
• perfidy
• criminal conversation
• inconstancy
• infatuation
• falseness
• free love
• fling
• flirtation
• perfidiousness
• amour
• love affair
• entanglement
• attachment
• liaison
• passion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fidelity
• faithfulness
• loyalty
• devotion
• dedication
• allegiance
• constancy
• steadfastness
• fealty
• devotedness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of adultery

Her adultery story initially evokes the imprisoned girl’s compensatory reveries, but over time its focus shifts. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

The name has Biblical undertones and refers to a theory that Adam (of Adam and Eve) had a first wife named Lilith, who committed adultery with Satan and transformed into an evil being who kidnaps children. — Katie Mather, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Odysseus… kinda ends up being your standard Noble Hero, complete with Modestly Badass Armor and Aragorn Beard Scruff and in absolutely no danger of (knowingly) committing adultery against his faithful wife waiting for him back home. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 July 2026

In the graphic sequence, Lannister is forced to walk naked through the streets as punishment for committing adultery. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 17 July 2026