10+ Signs He Secretly Stopped Loving You

According to Steve Harvey, the author of the famous novel Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, “A man’s love is expressed in three forms: he declares his rights for you in public, protects, and takes care of you.” However, a part of this saying can be questioned because, in our time, not all women need to be provided for or protected by men. What they truly need is love. Sadly, sometimes women tend to see love when it’s not really there.

Sometimes a woman can feel that something is wrong without having to hear it from her partner. We compiled a list of 10 signs that a man’s strong feelings of love and adoration have faded. We hope that you won’t see these signs from your man, but it is important to know what to look out for.

The little things disappear

The small, everyday gestures often fade before the relationship officially does—the hand on your shoulder while passing by, the goodbye kiss, the spontaneous hug. Research from Syracuse University shows that affectionate touch plays a key role in maintaining intimacy and helping couples navigate conflict. When that physical closeness disappears, it often signals a deeper emotional fracture.

Couples in this stage may begin to feel more like roommates than partners, sitting apart and moving through daily life without contact. Physical affection naturally releases oxytocin and reinforces emotional bonding. When a man no longer feels that emotional connection, his body often reflects it—he stops reaching out, not out of habit, but because the desire for closeness has quietly faded.

Small language changes

Sometimes, subtle changes in language can be worth paying attention to. For example, when expressions of love shift from being natural and spontaneous to sounding more emphatic or explanatory (such as adding “really” or “truly”), it may reflect emotional tension, guilt, or an attempt at reassurance. On its own, this doesn’t mean love is gone, but in certain contexts it can be a signal to pause and observe what’s happening beneath the surface.

Disclaimer: This is not a definitive or universal sign that someone has stopped loving their partner. Words should never be interpreted in isolation. What matters most is consistent behavior over time—respect, effort, emotional availability, and accountability. Language shifts are best viewed as cues for awareness, not conclusions.

Criticism of appearance

Omar Khayyam said, “A person will like everything, even the flaws, of their beloved, but will be annoyed at the perfection of those whom he does not love.” For a truly loving man, you are always beautiful, even with messy hair and even in your oversized nightgown. He will not notice that you have gained a couple of extra pounds after the winter holidays if you do not say it yourself. But if your man constantly tells you to go to the gym or hints that you need plastic surgery, do not rush to indulge him. It is most likely that it’s not your appearance that doesn’t suit him, but you yourself. And even if you lose weight, he will find other faults in you.

Discussing your shortcomings with friends

Women tend to discuss problems in relationships or their partner’s shortcomings with their friends, while men try to keep everything unspoken. No one is perfect but truly loving people focus on the advantages of the partner instead of focusing on the flaws.

If your partner allows himself to humiliate you publicly and laughs at your failures, do not expect anything good from such a relationship. Such a partner doesn’t respect you, and a strong and reliable union is impossible without respect. By criticizing you with other people, he unconsciously tries to prove to others (and himself) that it’s your fault that he stopped loving you.

His attitude toward your habits

Women like to complain about men’s socks scattered around the house, but they also sometimes have annoying or strange habits. We like to occupy the bathroom for 2 hours and chat with our girlfriends as much as possible, fill the wardrobe with unnecessary stuff, eat from our boyfriend’s plate, or keep singing the same song all day long. Loving men, as a rule, endure all this and remain silent or react with humor. If your man is constantly scrutinizing every little thing you do and making negative comments about your behavior, it means that the only feeling he has left is irritation instead of love.

Attentiveness to your stories

Scientists have proved that a man is able to listen to a woman attentively for only 6 minutes. That’s why, ladies, the next time you plan to have a conversation with your beloved, keep it short. The topics on which it is very difficult for a man to concentrate are unfamiliar people, celebrities, shopping, fashion, and diets. If possible, it’s best to discuss these types of things with your friends.

And yet, if a man sees that something is very important to you, he will make an effort to listen to you attentively, even if this topic is completely uninteresting to him. When he loves you, he won’t leave you without attention. But if he keeps changing the topic or runs away using different excuses whenever you try to talk, most likely, your worries do not bother him. Accordingly, he is not going to participate in the resolution of any issues that may come up during the relationship.

His attitude toward your emotions

Tears can be uncomfortable for many people to witness, regardless of gender. While some research has explored chemical components in tears and their potential effects, the reality of human emotional response is far more complex than simple biological reactions.

When someone we care about cries, we naturally want to help them feel better. A partner who loves you will typically set aside their own discomfort to offer support and comfort, even if they don’t fully understand why you’re upset. They’ll feel relieved when they see you’re feeling better.

However, it’s important to recognize that using tears manipulatively—in any relationship—can erode trust over time. Authentic emotional expression is healthy, but intentional manipulation through crying can damage the foundation of mutual respect that relationships need.

If someone consistently responds to your genuine distress with anger or impatience rather than care, this may signal a deeper issue with emotional compatibility or investment in the relationship. Healthy relationships involve partners who support each other through difficult emotions, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Flirtatiousness

Flirtation and playfulness can be wonderful ways to maintain intimacy and excitement in long-term relationships. Thoughtful texts, teasing hints, or playful photos can help couples reconnect and break through the monotony of daily routines, recreating some of that early relationship energy. The key is that both partners engage with and appreciate these gestures.

However, if you’re consistently putting effort into flirting—whether through messages, photos, or other romantic overtures—and receiving little to no response, it’s worth pausing to reassess. One-sided efforts can feel discouraging and may signal a disconnect that needs attention.

Before assuming the worst, consider opening a conversation with your partner. There could be various reasons for their lack of response: stress at work, feeling overwhelmed, different communication preferences, or simply not realizing how important this is to you. Sometimes people don’t recognize when their partner is making romantic overtures, or they may not know how to reciprocate in ways that feel natural to them.

If the pattern continues despite honest communication, it may point to deeper issues around emotional availability, mismatched needs for intimacy, or relationship satisfaction that deserve thoughtful discussion—possibly with the help of a couples therapist who can facilitate productive dialogue.

His reaction to requests

In healthy relationships, partners naturally prioritize each other’s needs and enjoy being helpful. Many people—regardless of gender—find satisfaction in supporting their partner, as it strengthens the bond and demonstrates care and reliability.

It’s reasonable to expect that your partner will respond positively to requests for help, even if they can’t personally solve every problem. For instance, if they can’t fix something themselves, a caring partner will still take initiative—perhaps by calling a professional or finding another solution. The key is that they’re invested in resolving the issue together rather than leaving you to handle it alone.

However, if you notice that even simple, reasonable requests are consistently met with irritation, dismissiveness, or being treated as burdens, this pattern warrants attention. Everyone has off days or stressful periods, but chronic resistance to helping with basic needs may indicate:

• Resentment building in the relationship
• Feeling overwhelmed by demands (worth discussing balance)
• Different expectations about partnership roles
• Decreased emotional investment in the relationship

Rather than jumping to conclusions about outside involvement, consider having an open conversation about how you both perceive requests for help and whether there’s an underlying issue affecting their responsiveness. If the pattern persists despite communication, it may signal a fundamental mismatch in how you each view partnership and mutual support.

Jealousy

Jealousy exists across many species as an evolutionary mechanism related to pair bonding and mate retention. In humans, mild protective feelings when others show romantic interest in your partner can reflect emotional investment in the relationship.

It’s normal for partners to notice when others express attraction to their significant other, and some degree of awareness or even slight discomfort can indicate they value the relationship. However, there’s an important distinction between healthy awareness and problematic jealousy.

Healthy responses might include:

• Feeling motivated to nurture the relationship
• Expressing appreciation for your partner
• Mild discomfort that doesn’t lead to controlling behavior

Unhealthy jealousy includes:

• Controlling or monitoring behavior
• Accusations without basis
• Attempts to isolate you from others
• Aggressive or possessive actions

That said, complete indifference to all romantic attention directed at you can sometimes—though not always—suggest emotional disengagement. If your partner shows zero reaction or interest when others clearly pursue you, it might be worth exploring whether they’re still emotionally invested in the relationship.

However, context matters greatly. Some people are simply secure and trusting, which is actually a sign of relationship health. The real questions to ask are: Does your partner show investment in other ways? Do they express appreciation for you? Are they engaged in building your future together?

Focus less on jealousy as a metric and more on overall patterns of care, attention, and commitment.

Protection from danger

People in committed relationships naturally care about each other’s safety and well-being. When someone loves you, they’re generally concerned when you’re in potentially vulnerable situations—whether that’s traveling alone, working late, or facing stressful circumstances.

A caring partner might check in when you’re out late, offer to pick you up from unfamiliar places, or provide emotional support when you’ve had a difficult day. These behaviors reflect genuine concern and investment in your welfare, not outdated gender roles. Partners of all genders can and should offer this kind of attentiveness to each other.

What a supportive partnership looks like:

• Checking in during concerning situations without being controlling
• Offering practical help when feasible
• Providing emotional support during stressful times
• Being someone you can rely on in difficulties
• Respecting your autonomy while showing they care

Red flags to consider:

• Complete indifference to your safety or well-being
• Dismissing your concerns when you’re genuinely worried or upset
• Failing to offer support during legitimately difficult situations
• Being unavailable or unresponsive during crises

However, it’s important to distinguish between care and control. Excessive worry, constant check-ins, or inability to tolerate your independence can signal unhealthy possessiveness rather than genuine concern.

If your partner consistently shows no interest in your well-being or fails to provide emotional support when you truly need it, this does warrant reflection about whether the relationship meets your needs for partnership and mutual care.

Gentle words and expressing feelings

Affectionate communication—through words, touch, hugs, and kisses—plays a vital role in maintaining emotional connection in relationships. Terms of endearment like “sweetheart,” “darling,” or personalized nicknames help create intimacy and reinforce the special bond between partners.

The ways couples express affection can reveal insights about their relationship dynamics, including emotional closeness, comfort levels, and how they navigate giving and receiving care. These patterns often develop naturally and reflect each person’s attachment style and love language.

Research supports the value of physical affection: Studies have consistently shown that physical intimacy—including non-sexual touch like hugging and kissing—correlates strongly with relationship satisfaction. Research involving married couples has found that those who maintain regular physical affection report significantly higher levels of happiness and connection in their relationships.

Everyone benefits from affection: Regardless of gender, most people have fundamental needs for physical touch and verbal affection within romantic relationships. While individuals vary in how much affection they prefer and how they like to express it, the absence of affectionate gestures often signals emotional distance or disconnection.

If you find there’s a significant mismatch in how you and your partner express or receive affection, it’s worth discussing openly. Sometimes people show love differently, and understanding each other’s preferences can help bridge the gap. However, if one partner consistently withdraws from a

Contempt

One of the most painful signs that love may be fading is contempt. Relationship research by Dr. John Gottman identifies contempt as one of the strongest predictors of a breakup. It shows up as subtle but cutting behaviors—eye-rolling, smirking, sarcasm, mocking, or laughing when you’re upset.

Contempt goes beyond frustration. It reflects a sense of superiority and emotional dismissal, where your feelings are minimized or ridiculed rather than respected. When someone no longer treats their partner with basic empathy or care, it often signals deep emotional disconnection.

But emotional habits aren’t the only quiet threats to a marriage. Some issues start even earlier, long before a couple says “I do.” In our next article, we’ll look at the conversations every couple should have before marriage—because skipping them can lead to problems no one expects. Read on!