Experts say "quiet quitting" — a term borrowed from workplace culture — can also apply to marriages, describing spouses who stay together but gradually withdraw emotional effort, communication and involvement. New York divorce lawyer James Sexton and Miami-based clinical sexologist Dr Mindy DeSeta argue this quiet withdrawal can be a more serious warning sign than open conflict, since arguing at least shows both partners remain invested, whereas indifference signals genuine detachment.

DeSeta notes many couples only recognise the pattern decades into marriage, often after roughly 30 years once children have left home and daily distractions fade, realising they "quiet quit" the relationship years earlier. Both experts recommend small, low-cost habits to rebuild connection, including brief affectionate gestures, deliberately undistracted quality time together (rather than being absorbed in phones), and asking genuine, personal questions about a partner's day.