criminal conversation

noun

: adultery considered as a tort

Examples of criminal conversation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminal conversation was in 1716

Dictionary Entries Near criminal conversation

Cite this Entry

“Criminal conversation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal%20conversation. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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.

More from Merriam-Webster on criminal conversation

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!