breadcrumbing

noun

bread·​crumb·​ing ˈbred-ˌkrə-miŋ 

slang

: the act or practice of intermittently expressing interest in someone as a way to maintain power over them

Breadcrumbing … can also occur in familial relationships (infrequent and conditional love), friendships (connecting then breadcrumbing), and professional situations (dangling illusive opportunities).

—Psychology Today

especially : the act or practice of indicating a lasting interest in a romantic or sexual partner without any true intent to pursue a relationship

One of the most common types of relationships where breadcrumbing occurs is during a situationship, such as a "friends with benefits or 'booty call' relationship," [Vagdevi] Meunier says.

—Shannen Zitz

breadcrumb

ˈbred-ˌkrəm 

verb, transitive + intransitive

breadcrumbed; breadcrumbing; breadcrumbs

slang

Ex-partners can breadcrumb you, too. You've agreed to end the relationship and move forward, but they keep sending the occasional text or photo along with a "This made me think of you," or "Missed you today."

—healthline.com

breadcrumber noun

plural breadcrumbers

slang

But should the target of the breadcrumber express dissatisfaction and a desire to move on, often the breadcrumber suddenly becomes highly interested—as a means, of course, of keeping their target on the hook, only to eventually place them back on the shelf.

—Monica Vermani, quoted at CNN.com

Word History

Etymology

breadcrumb "to engage in breadcrumbing" (derivative of breadcrumb) + -ing entry 1; after the crumbs dropped to mark a return path out of the forest in the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel

First Known Use

circa 2010, in the meaning defined above