Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality or state of being unfaithful to a spouse or partner: This refers specifically to a breach of trust in a committed romantic or marital relationship, typically involving sexual relations with someone else.
   • The quality or state of being unfaithful to a person, cause, or belief: This broader meaning refers to a lack of faithfulness, disloyalty, or betrayal in other contexts, such as to a friend, a principle, or a set of beliefs.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The discovery of his infidelity ended their marriage. (The act of him being unfaithful caused their marriage to end.)
  • She accused him of infidelity after finding messages on his phone. (She claimed he was unfaithful based on evidence.)
  • His infidelity to the company's core values led to his dismissal. (His disloyalty to the company's principles resulted in him being fired.)

Advanced Usage

• "Conjugal infidelity": A formal term specifically for unfaithfulness within a marriage.
  • The novel explores the tragic consequences of conjugal infidelity.
• "Political infidelity": Disloyalty to a political party or ideology.
  • The senator was accused of political infidelity for voting against the party line.

Variants and Related Words

• Infidel (noun): An archaic or historical term for a person who does not believe in a particular religion, especially Christianity or Islam. (Note: This is a related but distinct word, not a variant of "infidelity" itself.)
• Unfaithfulness (noun): A close synonym, often used interchangeably with "infidelity" in the context of relationships.
• Adultery (noun): Specifically refers to voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse. It is a specific act that constitutes infidelity in a marriage.

Synonyms

• Unfaithfulness: The state of not being faithful.
• Disloyalty: Failure to be loyal to a person or institution.
• Betrayal: The act of betraying trust or confidence.
• Cheating: Informal term for being unfaithful in a relationship.

Antonyms

• Fidelity: Faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief.
• Loyalty: A strong feeling of support or allegiance.
• Faithfulness: The quality of being faithful.

Related Phrases

• "A case of infidelity": An instance or situation involving unfaithfulness.
  • The tabloids were filled with stories about the celebrity's latest case of infidelity.
• "To commit infidelity": To perform an act of unfaithfulness.
  • He admitted to committing infidelity during a difficult period in the marriage.

Noun

1. the quality of being unfaithful