affair
Illicit romantic involvement
An affair is a matter or concern requiring attention: affairs of state, put your affairs in order.
It can mean an event or social gathering: The wedding was an elegant affair.
Most distinctively, an affair is a romantic or sexual relationship outside marriage or a committed partnership: He's having an affair with his secretary.
The word implies something ongoing rather than a single encounter.
Married person's sexual betrayal
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
- unfaithfulnessBreach of romantic commitment
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- extramaritalOutside the marriage bond
mistress · paramour · lover · fling · tryst · liaison · clandestine · deception
Seeking another's romantic favor
- passionIntense emotional drive
- loveIntense fond attachment
- relationshipConnection between entities
- intimacyEmotional closeness between people
rendezvous · sweetheart · amour · flirtation · wooing · ardor · enchantment · desire
Exchange of goods/money
- dealAgreement or distribution
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- ventureRisky new undertaking
- enterpriseCommercial undertaking or initiative
matter · concern · operation · undertaking · arrangement · proceeding · commerce · trade
Covert intelligence gathering
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- spyCovert information gatherer
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
plotting · maneuvering · subterfuge · secrecy · covert · undercover · cloak-and-dagger · scheming
Dishonest abuse of power
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- disgraceLoss of honor
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
- misconductImproper professional behavior
expose · whistleblower · investigation · resignation · controversy · outrage · backlash · indictment
adultery
Married person's sexual betrayal
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
- unfaithfulnessBreach of romantic commitment
- betrayalBreaking of trust
extramarital · mistress · paramour · lover · fling · tryst · liaison · clandestine · deception · philanderer
courtship
Seeking another's romantic favor
- passionIntense emotional drive
- loveIntense fond attachment
- relationshipConnection between entities
intimacy · rendezvous · sweetheart · amour · flirtation · wooing · ardor · enchantment · desire · infatuation
transaction
Exchange of goods/money
- dealAgreement or distribution
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- ventureRisky new undertaking
enterprise · matter · concern · operation · undertaking · arrangement · proceeding · commerce · trade · partnership
espionage
Covert intelligence gathering
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- spyCovert information gatherer
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
intelligence · plotting · maneuvering · subterfuge · secrecy · covert · undercover · cloak-and-dagger · scheming · machination
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- disgraceLoss of honor
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
misconduct · expose · whistleblower · investigation · resignation · controversy · outrage · backlash · indictment · testimony
gala
Festive formal occasion
ceremony · celebration · gathering · occasion · function · ball · fete · fundraiser · luncheon · dinner
- marriagebride, groom, wedding, husband, wife
- betrayalsbackstabbing, cheating, disloyalty, double-crossing, infidelity
- relationship problemsdisloyalty, adultery, unfaithfulness, cheating, communication breakdown
- romantic loveinfatuation, crush, lovesick, lovesickness, puppy love
- scandalscandal, infamy, disgrace, coverup, cover-up
- soap operassoap opera, telenovela, melodrama, cliffhanger, amnesia
affairfidelity
Loyalty or exactness
marriage · monogamy · loyalty · commitment · wedlock
affairnon-event
Disappointing lack of significance
trifle · triviality · routine · nothing · private matter
- love affairRomantic relationship, often intense
- having an affairExtramarital romantic involvement
- have an affairEngage in marital infidelity
- internal affairsOfficers investigating officers
- state of affairsCurrent overall situation
- had an affairWas sexually unfaithful
affairs, love affair, affaire, foreign affairs, current affairs, public affairs, extramarital affair