criminal conversation

noun

Synonyms of criminal conversationnext
: adultery considered as a tort

Examples of criminal conversation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Howard sued his wife’s lover for alienation of affection and criminal conversation, according to court records. — Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2019 North Carolina is one of about a half-dozen states that allow lawsuits accusing a cheating spouse’s lover of alienation of affection and criminal conversation. — Emery P. Dalesio, The Seattle Times, 5 Sep. 2017 Brenay Kennard, a lifestyle content creator with nearly 3 million followers on TikTok, is at the center of a civil lawsuit that has made national headlines, in which she is accused of criminal conversation and alienation of affection. — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminal conversation was in 1716

Rhymes for criminal conversation

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Browse Nearby Words

criminal anthropology
criminal conversation
criminal court
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Cite this Entry

“Criminal conversation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal%20conversation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

criminal conversation

noun
criminal con·​ver·​sa·​tion
: the tort of committing adultery with another's spouse compare alienation of affections

Note: This tort is no longer recognized in most jurisdictions.

More from Merriam-Webster on criminal conversation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for criminal conversation

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