criminal conversation
noun
: adultery considered as a tort
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Howard sued his wife’s lover for alienation of affection and criminal conversation, according to court records. 
Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2019 North Carolina is one of about a half-dozen states that allow lawsuits accusing a cheating spouse’s lover of alienation of affection and criminal conversation. Emery P. Dalesio, The Seattle Times, 5 Sep. 2017
Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2019 North Carolina is one of about a half-dozen states that allow lawsuits accusing a cheating spouse’s lover of alienation of affection and criminal conversation. Emery P. Dalesio, The Seattle Times, 5 Sep. 2017 Word History
First Known Use
1716, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
criminal conversation
noun
criminal con·ver·sa·tion
: the tort of committing adultery with another's spouse compare alienation of affections
Note: This tort is no longer recognized in most jurisdictions.
criminal conversation
noun
as in love affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- love affair
- romance
- love
- fling
- affair
- treachery
- amour
- misconduct
- perfidiousness
- perfidy
- cheating
- disloyalty
- free love
- affaire
- adultery
- faithlessness
- inconstancy
- flirtation
- falseness
- promiscuity
- infidelity
- unfaithfulness
- entanglement
- liaison
- infatuation
- attachment
- intrigue
- two-timing
- passion
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fidelity
- faithfulness
- devotion
- dedication
- loyalty
- allegiance
- steadfastness
- constancy
- fealty
- devotedness