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Homewrecker: meaning, definitions and examples

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homewrecker

[ ˈhoʊmˌrekər ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

someone who destroys a home

A homewrecker is a person who is blamed for the breakup of a marriage or other long-term relationship. This term is often used in a derogatory way to describe someone who has caused emotional pain and upheaval by interfering in a romantic relationship.

Synonyms

marriage destroyer, relationship ruiner.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
homewrecker	Typically used to describe a person who causes serious problems in a marriage or relationship, often through infidelity. It has a strong negative connotation. People called her a homewrecker after they found out she was having an affair with a married man. He was labeled a homewrecker for getting involved with someone else's spouse.
marriage destroyer	Used in a similar context as 'homewrecker' but emphasizes the impact on the institution of marriage more than on the home itself. It is also very negative. The tabloids accused him of being a marriage destroyer after his affair came to light. She was seen as a marriage destroyer by many, leading to the couple's divorce.
relationship ruiner	This term can refer to someone who undermines any kind of romantic relationship, not just marriages. It is still negative but can apply to less formal or non-marital relationships as well. She didn't want to be known as a relationship ruiner, so she kept her distance from her friend's boyfriend. He was blamed for being a relationship ruiner when he spread rumors that led them to break up.

Word

Description / Examples

homewrecker

Typically used to describe a person who causes serious problems in a marriage or relationship, often through infidelity. It has a strong negative connotation.

People called her a homewrecker after they found out she was having an affair with a married man.
He was labeled a homewrecker for getting involved with someone else's spouse.

marriage destroyer

Used in a similar context as 'homewrecker' but emphasizes the impact on the institution of marriage more than on the home itself. It is also very negative.

The tabloids accused him of being a marriage destroyer after his affair came to light.
She was seen as a marriage destroyer by many, leading to the couple's divorce.

relationship ruiner

This term can refer to someone who undermines any kind of romantic relationship, not just marriages. It is still negative but can apply to less formal or non-marital relationships as well.

She didn't want to be known as a relationship ruiner, so she kept her distance from her friend's boyfriend.
He was blamed for being a relationship ruiner when he spread rumors that led them to break up.

Examples of usage

She was labeled as a homewrecker after starting a relationship with a married man.
The gossip magazines portrayed her as a homewrecker, but she insisted she was unaware of his marital status.

Translations

Translations of the word "homewrecker" in other languages:

🇵🇹 destruidor de lares

🇮🇳 घर तोड़ने वाला

🇩🇪 Heimzerstörer

🇮🇩 perusak rumah tangga

🇺🇦 руйнівник сім'ї

🇵🇱 niszczyciel domów

🇯🇵 家庭破壊者 (kateihakaisha)

🇫🇷 briseur de ménage

🇪🇸 destructor de hogares

🇹🇷 yuva yıkan

🇰🇷 가정 파괴자 (gajeong pagoeja)

🇸🇦 مدمر العائلات (mudammer al'aeilat)

🇨🇿 ničitel rodin

🇸🇰 ničiteľ rodín

🇨🇳 破坏家庭的人 (pòhuài jiātíng de rén)

🇸🇮 uničevalec družin

🇮🇸 heimiliseyðandi

🇰🇿 отбасын бұзушы

🇬🇪 ოჯახის დამანგრეველი

🇦🇿 ailə dağıdıcı

🇲🇽 destructor de hogares

Etymology

The term 'homewrecker' originated in the early 20th century, with the word 'wrecker' referring to someone who destroys or ruins something. The addition of 'home' in front of 'wrecker' specifically denotes someone who is responsible for the destruction of a home or family unit. The term is often used in a negative and accusatory manner to assign blame for a relationship's demise.