unfaithfulness
unfaithfulness — noun
1. behaviour in which someone who is married or in a long-term relationship has a s
behaviour in which someone who is married or in a long-term relationship has a secret sexual or romantic relationship with another person, breaking the trust of their partner
Lucas discovered the truth about his wife's unfaithfulness only after finding old letters in the attic.
Zola ended her marriage after years of unfaithfulness that she could no longer forgive.
collocation: unfaithfulness + in a marriage
The documentary explored how patterns of unfaithfulness have changed in the age of social media.
Wei's therapist helped him understand what led to his unfaithfulness in the relationship.
After Rohan's unfaithfulness was revealed, the couple decided to seek marriage counselling.
- infidelity
more formal and euphemistic than unfaithfulness; often used in psychological or legal discussions
- adultery
limited to married people and carries strong legal or religious overtones
- cheating
informal, everyday language; can also apply outside romantic relationships (e.g. cheating on a test)
- betrayal
broader meaning — refers to breaking trust in any context, not only romantic relationships
- faithfulness
direct opposite; loyalty and commitment to one's partner
- fidelity
more formal synonym of faithfulness, often used in marriage vows
用法筆記
This is an uncountable abstract noun. It usually describes a state or pattern of behaviour rather than a single action. To refer to one specific incident, use 'an act of unfaithfulness'.