criminal conversation

noun

: adultery considered as a tort

Examples of criminal conversation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 5 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.

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