20 Characteristics of a Cheating Woman

Trying to understand someone you care about can feel confusing at times… especially when their behavior shifts in small, subtle ways. You might catch yourself wondering, “Is something off?” or noticing patterns that don’t quite add up.

It’s hard to sit with those feelings, and it’s even harder to talk about them openly. But paying attention to how actions, habits, and emotional cues evolve can help you see the situation more clearly.

As you explore the many characteristics of a cheating woman, remember that every relationship has its own story; clues aren’t always proof, and uncertainty doesn’t make you weak. It simply means you’re human, you care, and you’re searching for understanding in a gentle, honest way.

What makes your woman a cheater?

Join millions building healthier, happier relationships.

Subscribe

Before looking at the characteristics of a cheating woman, it helps to understand some of the feelings and circumstances that can lead someone toward infidelity.

So, what influences a woman to cheat?

There isn’t a single type, and there’s rarely one simple reason. Many women, especially those in long-term relationships, take their commitments seriously and don’t step outside them easily.

Sometimes, loyalty is tied to emotional fulfillment, satisfaction, or a sense of shared future. When those needs are met, many women feel grounded and connected. But when they’re consistently unhappy, lonely, or unappreciated, they may become more vulnerable to attention from others.

For some, infidelity stems from boredom, unresolved conflict, emotional distance, or reacting to a partner’s own betrayal. In other situations, the desire for autonomy, validation, or a sense of control can play a role.

Every person and relationship is different, and motivations for cheating can be complex rather than clear-cut.

How common is cheating for women in marriage?

The short answer is that it’s not extremely common, but it’s not rare either.

Cheating in marriage is common, with some studies indicating around 13-15% of married women have been unfaithful, compared to 20-25% of men.

So yes—while most married women say they stay faithful, a modest percentage do report straying.

20 characteristics of a cheating woman

Now that you understand some of the emotional and personal factors that can contribute to infidelity, it becomes easier to recognize certain patterns that might appear in someone’s behavior.

These motivations can offer insight into the personalities or tendencies that may make a woman more vulnerable to specific temptations.

1. She has a habit of breaking the taboo

Some women who struggle with staying faithful may have more impulsive or free-spirited tendencies. These traits don’t automatically mean someone will cheat, but they can make certain situations more tempting.

People with a “wild child” streak often enjoy spontaneity, novelty, and living in the moment. They may get bored easily or feel restricted by too many rules or expectations, which can sometimes influence their choices in relationships.

In some cases, the pull toward excitement or new experiences might feel stronger than the comfort of a stable partner, even if that partner is reliable and caring.

• Remember this: Not every free-spirited person is unfaithful; impulse and curiosity affect everyone differently. A pattern of cheating is usually shaped by deeper emotional needs, not just personality quirks or a love for excitement.

2. She wants to dominate the relationship

The female version of the Alpha male. Both male and female versions of this are susceptible and actively looking for ways to cheat. 

They are insatiable in most aspects of their life, including sex. 

They are always hungry and greedy, and they are willing to use underhanded means to get what they want.

Hence, they cheat on their partners. If they meet someone “worthy” of having a relationship with them, they will commit superficially. 

However, it doesn’t stop them from getting as many sexual partners as they can.

• Remember this: A dominant personality doesn’t equal disloyalty; many confident women are deeply devoted partners. Issues arise when emotional needs go unmet, or communication breaks down, not simply because someone enjoys feeling in control.

3. The repentant

This is the closest version of the first two. 

Some women are naturally rebellious but have learned while growing up to control their impulses. 

They learned to live within the bounds of society’s expectations and do their best to keep up appearances.

Then they get drunk, stressed, or due to other external stimuli that cause them to have a temporary lapse of judgment and revert to their original and natural state. 

It is not one of the more common characteristics of cheaters, and they do feel guilty afterward.

• Remember this: A single mistake doesn’t define a person’s entire character. Emotional vulnerability, stress, and unresolved struggles can influence choices, but guilt often indicates a desire to grow, repair, and avoid repeating the same pain.

4. The victim

This is one of the most common characteristics of a cheating woman. 

A lot of women feel they are not being treated fairly in a relationship. A few feel that they have sacrificed too much of their individuality and dreams to keep their partner happy.

They will not actively seek a different partner, but are receptive to men who are willing to offer a shoulder to cry on.

They will resist infidelity, but they eventually succumb to temptation depending on how good their current relationship is. 

Especially if their partner consistently neglects their needs. So, are you wondering why girls cheat on their boyfriends? It might be because their boyfriends are insensitive to their needs.  

Those are the most common types of women who cheat. 

Some of them cheat because their personalities are not compatible with monogamy, but most cheat because they are not happy with their current partner. 

It’s that simple. Keep a woman happy, assuming she isn’t one of those free-spirited types, and she will stay loyal to the commitment.

• Remember this: Feeling neglected can make anyone vulnerable, regardless of gender. Emotional connection matters deeply, and when it fades, people may seek reassurance elsewhere—not out of malice, but longing for understanding.

5. She has a history of cheating

Maybe she had cheated before in her relationships and never told you. It would be better to find out if she has a history of betraying someone for the wrong reasons. 

Another thing that is possible is that she has witnessed a history of cheating around her. 

It could be her family or friends, and if she has seen people cheating occasionally and thinks that it’s not a big deal, she might cheat on you.

• Remember this: Someone’s history doesn’t seal their fate. People change, heal, and mature, especially when relationships offer real stability, communication, and emotional safety.

6. She has a different social life from you

Time is of the essence. When a woman doesn’t get enough time to spend with her man and gets to spend time with other people repeatedly, the chances of her developing an interest in someone other than her husband increase.

It mostly happens when both partners have different social lives from one another. 

When the existing relationship can’t satisfy their emotional needs, they become vulnerable and alone. 

They can seek comfort otherwise.

• Remember this: Separate hobbies or social lives don’t equal disloyalty. Many couples thrive independently. Trouble appears only when emotional closeness fades, and no effort is made to reconnect. 

7. She is afraid of commitment 

Some women enjoy being pursued, but they often find it tedious or exhausting to maintain a long-term relationship. 

If you are with a woman who thinks that long-term relationships are boring mentally, physically, and emotionally, there is a good chance that she will cheat on monogamy. 

So before you commit to the relationship, find out if she has intentions to keep a long-term relationship or if she enjoys flirting with you.

• Remember this: Fear of commitment often stems from past hurts, insecurity, or uncertainty—not a desire to hurt someone. Patience, communication, and pacing can help build trust over time.

8. She focuses on her privacy too much 

This woman needs too much privacy. They put their password on their phone and don’t take calls in front of their partner. 

They also keep their friends and office details to themselves. They ensure that their partner doesn’t have many details about their life. 

These women generally have extramarital affairs, and they make sure that no one even suspects that. They don’t want to leave their partner but want to lead a double life secretly.

• Remember this: Privacy alone is not a sign of betrayal; everyone needs space. The concern arises only when secrecy replaces transparency and emotional connection starts to erode.

9. The woman who lies well 

One of the most prominent characteristics of a cheating woman is the skill of lying. If she is a woman who can present evidence to support her claims and make people believe what she says is true, she is a potential cheater. 

These women know what to say, when to say it, and how to present it. They might cheat on you, and when caught, they will cook up some story so believable that you won’t know what hit you. Rather than blaming her, you would be compelled to understand her situation. 

This will happen repeatedly, and it will become frustrating. You will need to recognize the pattern before you become accustomed to it.

• Remember this: Strong communication skills aren’t inherently deceptive. Lying becomes harmful only when honesty feels unsafe, or when deeper issues encourage avoidance instead of openness.

10. The woman who consistently refuses to confront

One of the most common traits of a cheater is their tendency to avoid confrontation and instead choose to evade direct discussion. 

Such women will often discuss another man at every opportunity. When asked, they will change the subject or avoid sharing many details about him. 

If that has happened before or is happening right now, you take it as a red flag.

• Remember this: Avoidance is often rooted in fear, anxiety, or a desire to prevent conflict—not necessarily betrayal. Many people need gentle reassurance before feeling safe enough to open up.

11. Over-demanding female 

This is one of the most essential characteristics of a cheating woman. Such women will always have the hunger for more. These cheating women are never satisfied with what they have.

A cheater partner may always want more, whether it be money, love, care, emotional support, or attention. They have a huge appetite for everything, and even when you try to make them happy, they may need more and are never happy. 

These women are not unfaithful women by nature, but if someone can meet their needs at the crossroads with them, they tend to slip.

• Remember this: Everyone has needs, and being demanding doesn’t equal unfaithfulness. Many people simply express needs intensely when they feel vulnerable or fear not being prioritized.

12. The jealous type 

Female cheaters are mostly the jealous kind. These cheating ladies will only cheat if they have already been cheated on. 

They hate to be cheated on, but if their partner betrays them, they will become a woman who cheats to give their partner the taste of their own medicine. 

They don’t have the personality of a cheater, but the hurt and pain are so agonizing to them that they get incredibly jealous and make sure that they, too, hurt you back in the same way.

• Remember this: Jealousy is often tied to insecurity, fear of abandonment, or emotional wounds. Healing those feelings—through communication and reassurance—matters more than focusing on the reaction itself.

13. The one who is emotionally unavailable 

These cheating ladies or women cheaters are caught when they suddenly become emotionally unavailable. 

There could be numerous characteristics of cheaters, but if she has reached a point where she no longer prioritizes your needs and fails to give you the bare minimum of attention and time, she is a potential cheater. 

Sometimes, these women find comfort in someone else because their partners have pushed them away. They feel the need to feel happy and will find their happiness at any cost.

• Remember this: Emotional unavailability doesn’t automatically mean infidelity. Many people shut down because they feel hurt, tired, or misunderstood—not because they’ve found someone new.

14. The one who constantly shifts the blame

One of the common traits of a cheating woman is that she knows how to shift the blame to her partner. 

These women often possess the perfect personality of a cheater, as they consistently lead people to believe that their partner has wronged them, leaving them with no choice but to seek happiness outside of their relationship. 

These women find it easy to get inside their partner’s head and make them feel guilty even when they are not at fault.

• Remember this: Blame-shifting usually signals deeper emotional struggles, not automatic cheating. Understanding the root cause—fear, insecurity, or past trauma—helps create healthier communication.

15. Afraid of divorce 

One of the significant characteristics of a cheating wife is that she is afraid to get divorced. She might be fed up with her partner or her married life, but she will never break off the relationship. 

Such women cheat to fulfill their emotional and physical needs. They bring their actions into the limelight, so their partner either accepts this way of living or ends the relationship.

• Remember this: Fear of divorce is often rooted in survival worries, responsibilities, or long-term commitments—not a desire to deceive. Compassion and communication can reveal what’s really going on.

16. Women who cheat for emotional reasons

Most of the time, when women feel emotionally unsatisfied, it creates a void in their physical connection. 

Rather than looking for physical pleasure, women seek an emotional connection with someone who can make them feel loved.

• Remember this: Emotional longing is universal. When someone’s emotional needs go unmet, they may drift—not because they’re disloyal, but because they’re hurting deeply.

17. Lack of communication 

Suppose a woman feels that she is unable to communicate with her partner. Over the years, communication between a couple can fade if not properly maintained. 

In such cases, women seek comfort in the words of someone with whom they can share their feelings.

• Remember this: Poor communication affects both partners. Many women cheat because they feel unheard—not because they stopped caring, but because the connection slowly faded.

18. Women with low self-esteem 

Low self-esteem can create a thousand doubts in your mind and can lead to depression. 

It can cause many other things, such as eating disorders, alcoholism, and cheating on your partner. 

After marriage, women start families and get busy with many things, but here are some things that they want from their partner at any cost. 

They want to feel special every day in their life; they want to feel important; they want their partner to make them laugh. Women also want to be valued and strive to be the best version of themselves, with the help of their partners. 

If they don’t get that kind of support from their partner, it increases their chance of cheating on their partner.

• Remember this: Low self-esteem is a personal struggle, not a sign of moral failure. Compassion, reassurance, and emotional support often help more than criticism or suspicion.

19. The one who is not sexually satisfied

Women who are not sexually satisfied are most likely to cheat on their partner. If a woman often has to fake orgasms with her partner or she never gets to experience the climax, she will eventually look for the physical connection outside. 

People who have sexual infrequency or are incompatible in bed have an increased probability of cheating or being cheated on.

• Remember this: Sexual dissatisfaction is a relationship issue, not an individual flaw. With communication, patience, and willingness to explore solutions, many couples overcome it together.

Watch this TED Talk in which Dr. Janie Lacy explains how people can slip into toxic relationships, why self-compassion matters, and the three essential steps she recommends for building healthier, more fulfilling connections:

20. The one who cheats for success

Money and power are intriguing. Sometimes, women cheat to advance in their careers or achieve success. These women don’t plan on cheating their partners or do not engage in long-term affairs. 

These women take advantage of an opportunity presented by infidelity. They don’t cheat until they get something they desire, and it can help them on their road to success.

• Remember this: Ambition itself is not a problem. Many people make pressured choices when they feel limited, stressed, or desperate—not because they lack loyalty or love.

To sum up

Trying to understand someone’s behavior can feel confusing… especially when the connection shifts in quiet, unexpected ways. You might notice small changes, subtle distance, or habits that suddenly feel unfamiliar. It’s natural to wonder what’s really going on; it’s also natural to feel a mix of worry and curiosity.

Exploring the characteristics of a cheating woman’s psychology isn’t about judging anyone—it’s about understanding the emotional patterns, needs, and vulnerabilities that sometimes shape a person’s choices. And when you understand those deeper layers, it becomes a little easier to see the situation with clarity and compassion.

Marriage.com Assessment

Relationship Test: What Help Does Your Relationship Need Most Right Now?

If your relationship feels off balance, if communication feels harder, connection weaker, or tension more frequent, this assessment can help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface. Grounded in relationship psychology and evidence-...

Questions: 20 | Last updated: Nov 18, 2025

Sample Question

When you and your partner talk about something important…

We listen with care — even hard talks feel safe and productive

We try to talk, but lately emotional closeness feels harder to reach

I want to be open, but part of me still guards my heart

Our discussions sometimes spiral or end unresolved

It’s hard to feel close because our physical intimacy hasn’t felt strong lately

We often see things differently about goals or priorities

Take the Quiz Now

Tips

Write your tip or submit a video tip

All tips are reviewed before the publishing.

You are: Reader Expert

Upload a Video Tip

>

Add your profile photo

Note - JPG, JPEG, PNG or GIF Max file 100Kb

Submit

We appreciate you sharing a tip for review!

Write Another Tip

Rachael Pace Author

Rachael Pace is a noted relationship writer associated with Marriage.com. She provides inspiration, support, and empowerment in the form of motivational articles and essays. Rachael enjoys studying the evolution of loving partnerships... Read more and is passionate about writing on them. She believes that everyone should make room for love in their lives and encourages couples to work on overcoming their challenges together. Read less