adulterous
Breaking marriage vows
Adulterous describes someone who commits adultery—sexual infidelity within marriage—or something characteristic of such betrayal: an adulterous affair, adulterous thoughts.
The word carries moral weight, suggesting violation of vows rather than merely extramarital sex.
She discovered her husband's adulterous relationship with a coworker.
Betraying a partner's trust
- extramaritalOutside the marriage bond
- affairRomantic entanglement outside commitment
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
- philandererHabitual romantic cheater
mistress · paramour · lover · two-timing · cuckold · homewrecker · fornication · tryst
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- hiddenKept out of sight
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
discreet · secret · concealed · veiled · stealthy · sneaking · undercover · private
Deliberate violation of trust
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- dishonestyDisposition toward falsehood
- breachBreaking of agreement
duplicity · perfidy · backstabbing · double-cross · traitorous · untrustworthy · faithless · falseness
Contrary to ethical principles
- sinfulViolating moral law
- shamefulCausing or meriting disgrace
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
- dishonorableLacking integrity or ethics
unethical · corrupt · disreputable · transgression · wrongdoing · guilty · taboo · condemned
unfaithful
Betraying a partner's trust
- extramaritalOutside the marriage bond
- affairRomantic entanglement outside commitment
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
philanderer · mistress · paramour · lover · two-timing · cuckold · homewrecker · fornication · tryst · liaison
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
surreptitious · discreet · secret · concealed · veiled · stealthy · sneaking · undercover · private · whispered
treachery
Deliberate violation of trust
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- dishonestyDisposition toward falsehood
breach · duplicity · perfidy · backstabbing · double-cross · traitorous · untrustworthy · faithless · falseness · deceiver
immoral
Contrary to ethical principles
- sinfulViolating moral law
- shamefulCausing or meriting disgrace
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
dishonorable · unethical · corrupt · disreputable · transgression · wrongdoing · guilty · taboo · condemned · stigma
adulterate, adultery, adulteration, adulterer, adulterated, adulteress, adulterant, adulterers, adulterates