adulterer

noun

adul·​ter·​er ə-ˈdəl-tər-ər How to pronounce adulterer (audio)
: a person who commits adultery
especially : a man who commits adultery

Examples of adulterer 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.
And then there was his reputation as a serial adulterer during his first two marriages to Emily Black and Mary Richardson. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025 The adulterers aren’t written off as bad people; their sins are legible within the context of their lives. Judy Berman, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025 These Latino families have an answer ‎ Taliban affirms that stoning will be punishment for adulterers — especially women ‎ RFK Jr. is not alone. Marc Silver, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024 He has never been accused of being an adulterer and then paying off some of the women to keep them quiet. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for adulterer

Word History

Etymology

alteration (conformed to Latin adulter) of Middle English advowtrer, avowtrer, advouterer, avouterer, from avouter, avowtier "adulterer" (borrowed from Anglo-French avuiltre, avouter, going back to Latin adulter, noun derivative of adulterāre "to commit adultery with, pollute, adulterate entry 1") + -er -er entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1506, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adulterer was circa 1506

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Cite this Entry

“Adulterer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adulterer. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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