micro-cheat

present singular third person micro-cheats · participle present micro-cheating · participle past micro-cheated · past micro-cheated

1. To show signs of attraction or focus on someone other than one's romantic partner.

   But while physical cheating is publicly condemned and clear-cut enough to identify, there's a "tinier" form of cheating that can sting just as much: micro-cheating.

   2019 February 11, Jessica Goodman, Julia Pugachevsky, Mel Evans, “Here's How to Know If You're Micro-Cheating”, in Cosmopolitan

   1 more example

   There are plenty of different ways to micro-cheat on your partner. One of the prime examples is by going through someone's social media profile and liking old pictures of them – known as a "deep like".

   2018 March 23, Lauren Windle, “What is ‘micro-cheating’? How liking old Facebook photos and suggestive emojis could threaten to ruin relationships”, in The Sun

plural micro-cheats

1. A person who micro-cheats.

   Here, LYNSEY CLARKE presents a quiz which will reveal if you are a micro-cheat, a mini-flirt or mega-loyal.

   2018 January 16, Lynsey Clarke, “Are you a micro-cheat, a mini-flirt or mega-loyal?”, in The Sun

   Synonyms: micro-cheater

2. An instance of micro-cheating.

   New York–based relationship and etiquette expert of Relationship Advice Forum, April Masini, tells Bustle. "Sleeping with someone else is not a micro-cheat. That’s a flat-out betrayal."

   2018 April 27, Amanda Chatel, “How To Talk To A Partner About Micro-Cheating”, in Bustle

   1 more example

   But keep in mind, polyamory and open relationships need to be things both partners want, and require just as much if not more work than a monogamous partnership. In other words, it should never be used to turn a micro-cheat into a macro without getting into trouble.

   2019 February 11, Jessica Goodman, Julia Pugachevsky, Mel Evans, “Here's How to Know If You're Micro-Cheating”, in Cosmopolitan