love triangle
Three-way jealousy
A love triangle is a romantic situation involving three people, typically where one person is romantically connected to two others, or where three people are entangled in competing attractions.
The term implies tension, jealousy, or difficult choices: The movie's love triangle kept audiences guessing until the end.
Love triangles are a staple of fiction and gossip alike.
Romantic entanglement outside commitment
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
- adulteryMarried person's sexual betrayal
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
unfaithful · two-timing · extramarital · mistress · paramour · tryst · disloyalty · homewrecker
Breaking of trust
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
- tensionStretched or strained state
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
confrontation · ultimatum · heartbreak · estrangement · dilemma · turmoil · competition · discord
Those pursuing marriage
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- attractionPull toward something
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- wooingRomantic pursuit of another
admirers · chemistry · desire · passion · infatuation · longing · devotion · unrequited
Sudden narrative redirection
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- storylineSequence of fictional events
- protagonistStory's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
subplot · tension · resolution · complication · drama · stakes · foreshadowing · backstory
affair
Romantic entanglement outside commitment
deception · unfaithful · two-timing · extramarital · mistress · paramour · tryst · disloyalty · homewrecker · fling
betrayal
Breaking of trust
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
- tensionStretched or strained state
resentment · confrontation · ultimatum · heartbreak · estrangement · dilemma · turmoil · competition · discord · animosity
suitors
Those pursuing marriage
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- attractionPull toward something
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
wooing · admirers · chemistry · desire · passion · infatuation · longing · devotion · unrequited · pining
plot twist
Sudden narrative redirection
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- storylineSequence of fictional events
- protagonistStory's central figure
antagonist · subplot · tension · resolution · complication · drama · stakes · foreshadowing · backstory · revelation
- romanceamor, boyfriend, courting, girlfriend, besos
- Classic RomancePride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Emma, Romeo and Juliet
- drama themesrevenge, betrayal, family conflict, power struggle, tragic flaw
- entertainment clicheshappy ending, cliffhanger, plot twist, damsel in distress, chosen one
- Romance Clicheshappily ever after, soulmate, meant to be, knight in shining armor, fairy tale ending
- soap opera plotsbetrayal, jealousy, secret romance, secret affair, scandal