homewrecker

American  

[hohm-rek-er] / ˈhoʊmˌrɛk ər /

Or home-wrecker

noun

1. a person who disrupts or destroys the harmony of a marriage or long-term relationship by having an affair with one of the partners.

   She was dumped by her longtime hubby Rod, who then shacked up with that homewrecker Cassie Jones.

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Etymology

Origin of homewrecker

First recorded in 1875–80; home ( def. ) + wrecker ( def. )

Example Sentences

And some lawmakers in North Carolina seek to follow suit: A bill introduced in the state Senate last spring seeks to abolish both homewrecker laws.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

White added that she was “bullied for months” and labeled a homewrecker after Bell gave birth, and she and Cannon “didn’t break up right away.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2023

The grand title underscores Camila's bombshell transformation from hated "homewrecker" and "Charles' wife" to her various consort designations and finally Queen.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2023

The new title is another step in the remarkable transformation of a woman once derided as a homewrecker because of her role in the breakdown of Charles’ marriage to the late Princess Diana.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 4, 2023

Once seen as a homewrecker, she’s now the respected queen consort to her husband, King Charles III.

From New York Times • Sep. 13, 2022