Infidelity — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌin-fə-ˈde-lə-tē/ in·fi·del·i·ty

Meaning & Definition of Infidelity

Infidelity (noun)

  1. the act or fact of having a romantic or sexual relationship with someone other than one's spouse or partner
  2. unfaithfulness to a moral obligation, disloyalty
  3. lack of belief in a religion

Infidelity (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lack of faithfulness especially to one's husband or wife

    "infidelity can lead to divorce"

    similar: disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, perfidiousness, perfidy, unfaithfulness
    related: adultery, betrayal, double cross, double-dealing, duplicity, sellout, treachery, treason, deceit, deception, lying
    opposite: allegiance, constancy, devotedness, devotion, faith, faithfulness, fealty, fidelity, loyalty
    near: staunchness, steadfastness, dependability, reliability, honesty, trustworthiness

  2. the act or fact of violating the trust or confidence of another

    "the one thing that the political boss will not forgive is infidelity"

    similar: backstabbing, betrayal, business, disloyalty, double cross, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, perfidy, sellout, treachery, treason, two-timing, unfaithfulness
    related: abandonment, desertion, deceit, deception, double-dealing, duplicity, guile, two-facedness, fraud, informing, lying, snitching, talebearing, trickery
    opposite: allegiance, devotion, faithfulness, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, staunchness, steadfastness
    near: dependability, reliability, trustworthiness, defense, protection, safeguard, shield

  3. a sexual encounter or relationship between a married person and someone other than their spouse

    "had known about his wife's infidelities for years"

    similar: adultery, cheating, misconduct, two-timing, unfaithfulness
    related: criminal conversation, free love, promiscuity, disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, inconstancy, perfidiousness, perfidy, treachery, affair, amour, fling, love, love affair, romance, intrigue, attachment, infatuation, entanglement, flirtation, liaison, passion
    opposite: faithfulness, fidelity
    near: allegiance, constancy, dedication, devotedness, devotion, fealty, loyalty, steadfastness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Infidelity

The most common words with a similar meaning to Infidelity:

disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, perfidiousness, perfidy, unfaithfulness, backstabbing, betrayal, business, double cross, sellout, treachery, treason, two-timing, adultery, cheating, misconduct

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Infidelity

Words with the opposite meaning of Infidelity:

allegiance, constancy, devotedness, devotion, faith, faithfulness, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, staunchness, steadfastness

Related Words for Infidelity

double-dealing, duplicity, deceit, deception, lying, abandonment, desertion, guile, two-facedness, fraud, informing, snitching, talebearing, trickery, criminal conversation, free love, promiscuity, affair, amour, fling, love, love affair, romance, intrigue, attachment, infatuation, entanglement, flirtation, liaison, passion

Near Antonyms of Infidelity

dependability, reliability, honesty, trustworthiness, defense, protection, safeguard, shield, dedication

Word Forms of Infidelity

Inflections: infidelities

Origin & Etymology of Infidelity

Middle English infidelite, borrowed from Middle French infidelité, borrowed from Latin infidēlitāt-, infidēlitās "faithlessness, inconstancy," from infidēlis "unfaithful, disloyal" + -itāt-, -itās -ity infidel:2

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Infidelity

What does "Infidelity" mean?

"Infidelity" means the act or fact of having a romantic or sexual relationship with someone other than one's spouse or partner. As a noun, it is defined as: the act or fact of having a romantic or sexual relationship with someone other than one's spouse or partner. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Infidelity"?

Other words for "Infidelity" include disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, perfidiousness, perfidy and unfaithfulness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Infidelity" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Infidelity"?

There are 49 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Infidelity". Common alternatives include disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, perfidiousness, perfidy, unfaithfulness, backstabbing and betrayal.

What is the opposite of "Infidelity"?

Antonyms of "Infidelity" include allegiance, constancy, devotedness, devotion, faith, faithfulness, fealty and fidelity. Near antonyms include dependability, reliability, honesty and trustworthiness.

How do you use "Infidelity" in a sentence?

Examples of "Infidelity" in a sentence: "infidelity can lead to divorce"; "the one thing that the political boss will not forgive is infidelity"; "had known about his wife's infidelities for years".

Is "Infidelity" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Infidelity" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Infidelity"?

"Infidelity" is pronounced /ˌin-fə-ˈde-lə-tē/ and divided into syllables as in·fi·del·i·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Infidelity"?

"Infidelity" comes from Middle English infidelite, borrowed from Middle French infidelité, borrowed from Latin infidēlitāt-, infidēlitās "faithlessness, inconstancy," from infidēlis "unfaithful, disloyal" + -itāt-, -itās -ity infidel:2. First known use: 15th century.