8 Ways Married People 'Kinda Cheat' On Each Other Without Actually Cheating
Cheating isn't the only way you can betray your partner.
StockPhotoDirectors | Shutterstock Most of us think that cheating is the ultimate act of relationship betrayal. But, let's get real — people don’t just suddenly decide to trash their marriage vows like that out of nowhere. Instead of a sudden, shocking downpour, the truth is infidelity is actually a storm that brews slowly.
Usually, this starts with dozens of mini-betrayals; things that occur in your marriage that slowly but surely crack the relationship’s foundation. Research defines mini-betrayals as small, often subtle acts of disloyalty, secrecy, or constant boundary-pushing.
Some of these are obvious — lying to your partner, openly flirting with a co-worker, talking to your old high school flame on Facebook way too much. But some betrayals aren’t so overt — and it’s these less obvious betrayals that actually do the most damage.
Why? Because they let you form destructive habits that slip under your partner’s radar. And those acts quietly open the door to major acts of betrayal that can lead to divorce. So, what exactly are these mini-betrayals?
Here are eight ways married people 'kinda cheat' on each other without actually cheating:
1. Secret relationships
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Almost everyone has a relationship outside of their marriage. Exes we’re still friends with, co-workers we laugh with, best friends we share our deepest thoughts with. That’s all fine and healthy. But problems arise when you use those relationships to fulfill emotional needs not being met in your marriage.
How do you know if you’re doing this? It’s easy. Ask yourself one simple question: "Would I act the same with this other person if my significant other was watching?" If you answer "No," you're likely crossing boundaries that lead into dangerous territory.
2. Hiding money
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Money is one of the most common topics married couples argue about. The way a betrayal happens in this area is pretty obvious: you hide a spending problem, you ignore a gambling habit, or you siphon money into a private account.
If you’re engaging in any of these acts, take action. Seek professional help — whether it’s from a psychologist or an accountant — and tell your spouse exactly what’s going on.
Hiding money, whether it's through secret accounts, purchases, or debt, can be perceived as a violation of this trust, similar to other forms of infidelity. Studies show that financial infidelity is surprisingly common with one survey finding that 42% of U.S. adults in relationships admitted to keeping a financial secret from their partner.
3. Complaining about each other to other people
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Complaining about your partner is tricky — anyone who says they would never vent about their spouse doesn’t have one! But blowing off steam about your mate on a rare occasion is much different from consistently talking trash about your significant other (telling people they are lazy, dull, boring, unattractive, etc.)
Not only is it disrespectful, but it also calls into question your choices. After all, if your spouse is that bad, what does it say about you that you married them?
But the damage doesn’t stop there. Only allowing friends to hear bad things about your spouse prevents them from seeing the good, even when it's right there. If you want to complain about your partner, complain to a paid friend: your therapist.
4. Undermining each other in public
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You know what I mean: That roll of your eyes, that sarcastic remark, the cheap shot you take when they tick you off — these are small, but deeply hurtful betrayals. By doing this, you’re telling your spouse that your marriage isn’t sacred and that you’re fine violating their privacy by airing your dirty emotional laundry in public.
This creates a garbage-show dynamic to your union, a soap opera that those around you want to both ignore and watch. It’s like bad reality TV, but without the obvious script.
Publicly undermining your partner in marriage, even in seemingly small ways, can be deeply damaging because it violates trust, erodes emotional safety, and can pave the way for more serious relationship problems. Relationship research identifies contempt as a significant predictor of divorce, and criticism can easily escalate into contempt.
5. Emotional dishonesty
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Emotional dishonesty comes in all shapes and sizes. From committing to something you don’t really want to do, to saying that you're "fine" (when you're actually boiling with disdain) all the way to faking satisfaction during intimacy. But emotional dishonesty is often most dangerous when you use it to justify your actions.
If you’re doing something that, deep down, you know is wrong, you'll try to convince yourself (and your partner) that it’s right. Sometimes, you’ll exaggerate or downplay the situation, so that whatever you're doing seems innocent. You know it's not.
6. Selfishness
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This can be shown in a million different ways: with your time, during intimacy, with the attention you give (or don't). Being selfish on occasion isn’t a problem — it has its own benefits. But being selfish constantly tells your spouse that you’re better off flying solo.
One particularly destructive way selfishness creeps into relationships is by invalidating your spouse's feelings. Your spouse's feelings are never wrong, whether you agree with those feelings or not.
Invalidating your partner breeds anger and creates a division between the two of you. It clearly shows that you don’t respect their experiences and that they shouldn't trust their own emotions. This is a form of manipulation.
Selfishness in marriage involves consistently prioritizing one's own needs and desires over the partner's and the relationship's well-being. A 2024 study explained that this can include making unilateral decisions, demanding attention, or refusing to compromise.
7. Stonewalling
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Stonewalling is a power-play, an act of withholding yourself, your emotions and your affection until you get your way. And it's cruel.
It’s like holding your marriage hostage with a passive-aggressive gun. Needing space to sort out your thoughts is one thing, constantly refusing to tell your partner how you feel is another.
8. Bringing up past issues
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If your partner did things previously that you said you've processed and forgiven, bringing them up over and over only reopens old wounds. The only thing this tactic achieves is making the emotional scar bigger. Cheating on your spouse is still the ultimate betrayal.
According to a 2024 study, bringing up past hurts, especially in a judgmental or accusatory way, can signal that the person's past mistakes aren't truly forgiven. This can make them feel like their partner doesn't trust them with their vulnerabilities or believe they're capable of change, making it difficult to rebuild trust and intimacy.
But the truth is, that wrecking ball is often set into motion long before the big offense. So, tend to these relationship enemies in your relationship now, before they get out of hand. It takes a lot less water to put out a tiny fire than a five-alarm blaze.
Clayton Olson is an International Relationship Coach, Master NLP Practitioner, and Facilitator specializing in dating, empowering men and women, self-esteem, and life transitions. He has 20 years of experience working to optimize human behavior and relational dynamics.
