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 The Royal Family, whose relations with Spencer have long been strained, are said to fear the book could contain numerous bombshells about Charles and Diana’s relationship, which was infamously plagued by adultery and acrimony. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026 Its citizens held slaves, some of whom were shackled for committing adultery. — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 Because of its unfiltered depictions of sexuality, inappropriate relationships, and adultery, the 1971 film received a chilly response in conservative communities; however, it was applauded by critics and earned eight Oscar nominations. — Air Mail, 22 Aug. 2026 Leontes, the king of Sicilia, has baselessly accused his wife, Hermione, of adultery, and the consequences have been dire. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adultery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adultery
  1. cheating
  2. misconduct
  3. infidelity
Noun
  • The risks are already visible in models that deploy agents capable of evading their guardrails, escaping their sandboxes, cheating to obtain their goals, and covering their tracks to conceal the cheating.
    — NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For example, if a model figures out a way to cheat to win a game, but the human running the training doesn’t spot the cheating, then the model will learn to cheat.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheating
Noun
  • Davis argued that Slotkin described targeting junior personnel and young professionals to discourage them from serving, rather than solely to pursue justice for alleged misconduct.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner earlier in October said that Lewis was acquitted in a previous murder case, blaming police misconduct for the outcome.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of misconduct
Noun
  • What readers are saying The comments on the article discuss various aspects of financial infidelity and its impact on relationships.
    — Jenna Ryu, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The podcast’s indefinite hiatus comes shortly after Hila accused her husband of infidelity on her own Instagram account late Thursday night.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on adultery

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about adultery

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