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
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Recent Examples of adultery
Directed by Jonathan Li and Choy Man-yu, the film stars Louis Koo as a private detective investigating a complex case involving adultery and murder.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 June 2025
Many scandals arise from the occasion of these activities, and adulteries and other outrageous crimes are committed as a clear offence to God, a very serious danger to the souls of those committing them, and a pernicious example to others.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2025
In the court of public opinion, any credible allegation of drug use, adultery or moral misstep is typically perceived as career-ending.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Mlotek’s title presumably comes from no-fault divorce laws, which did away with the idea that divorce required proof of wrongdoing, such as abuse or adultery.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adultery
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 June 2025
Many scandals arise from the occasion of these activities, and adulteries and other outrageous crimes are committed as a clear offence to God, a very serious danger to the souls of those committing them, and a pernicious example to others.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2025
In the court of public opinion, any credible allegation of drug use, adultery or moral misstep is typically perceived as career-ending.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Mlotek’s title presumably comes from no-fault divorce laws, which did away with the idea that divorce required proof of wrongdoing, such as abuse or adultery.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adultery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adultery
Noun
-
His last review, which examined misconduct allegations against Russell Brand, only referenced job titles.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
12 July 2025
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Sorrell exited the company in 2018 amid a probe of allegations of misconduct, and Read, who spent much of this time building new digital operations, became the company’s new leader.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
10 July 2025
Noun
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There have also been issues with infidelity, the source alleged.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
People.com,
30 June 2025
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This disregard often pushes them toward infidelity, without thinking of its consequences.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adultery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adultery. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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