adultery

noun

ə-ˈdəl-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce adultery (audio)
Definition of adulterynext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adultery Four other people were publicly caned on Thursday for online gambling and adultery. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 New York adopted a general divorce law in 1787 but the only grounds were adultery, which was also a crime. — Patricia Fersch, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Public opinion is against adultery. — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 His wife filed for divorce in 2025 after accusing him of adultery. — NBC news, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for adultery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adultery
  1. cheating
  2. misconduct
  3. infidelity
Noun
  • Owning The Design Choice Faculty often describe the AI cheating problem as something happening to them.
    — Terry Oroszi, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Despite multiple requests from test takers and lawmakers, the DMV has not provided any details about the nature of the alleged cheating, and some of those who must take the test over feel like they’ve been unfairly accused.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of cheating
Noun
  • When Platner arrived, the place seemed haunted not only by American misconduct but also by Saddam Hussein’s use of it to imprison and abuse political dissidents during his reign.
    — Jasper Craven, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
  • Notably, there’s no public indication that Barron is suspected of misconduct or had any involvement in matters related to Andrew and Tristan Tate.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 24 July 2026
Definition of misconduct
Noun
  • Bailee Ann, 18, staunchly denied infidelity rumors between the former couple during a TikTok livestream Sunday.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
  • Kathie Lee Gifford says her late husband Frank Gifford’s infidelity was not an affair.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026
Definition of infidelity

Browse Nearby Words

adulterous
adultery
adulthood
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adultery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adultery. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on adultery

Nglish: Translation of adultery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about adultery

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