alienation of affections
: the diversion of a person's affection from someone (as a spouse) who has certain rights or claims to such affection usually to a third person who is held to be the instigator or cause of the diversion
called also alienation of affection
compare criminal conversationNote: In most jurisdictions alienation of affections is no longer recognized.
Cite this Entry
“Alienation of affections.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal DictionaryMerriam-Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/alienation%20of%20affections. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
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