Dating has become so toxic in recent years. Gone are the days when being ghosted or dealing with the head trip of a situationship were the worst things you could expect when trying to find a relationship or hookup.
In 2025, things have gotten much more complicated. There are daters out here using AI to craft their DMs, people subtly lying in their online dating profiles, and finding new insidious ways to break up with you.
Luckily, there are also sweet trends where people are sending small gifts to their partners, or discovering new dating models that are allowing them to have healthy long-term relationships.
Every year, it seems like it’s getting harder and harder to keep up with all of the dating trends and new terms out there. But don’t worry because we’ve got you covered! We did a deep dive on all of the new toxic and adorable dating trends to keep you up to date, so you won’t be diving into the dating app trenches without all the info you need.
Throning
What is the toxic 'throning' dating trend & are the gays doing it? Relationship experts weigh inAlexandre Rizzon/Shutterstock
This extremely toxic trend involves people dating someone strategically because they think being seen with them will increase their social capital and improve their reputation. It's gross and manipulative and will likely leave you feeling like you are being used.
Learn more about throning.
Date them 'til you hate them
What is the 'date them 'til you hate them' trend & are the gays doing it? Dating experts explainDrazen Zigic/Shutterstock
This is a toxic trend created on TikTok where people slowly check out of a relationship instead of breaking up right away, so that when the relationship comes to an end, you already resent your partner so much that the breakup is easier. It's cowardly, but it's apparently becoming more common.
Learn more about date them 'til you hate them.
Chatfishing
Have great chemistry on the apps, but your dates all flop? You may be a victim of this trendCelia Ong/Shutterstock
People have started using AI in their dating lives, and the results aren't pretty! Modern daters are now using programs like ChatGPT to craft their dating app messages, so now, when you think you are exchanging messages with a person you have a connection with, it might turn out to be AI.
Learn more about chatfishing.
Explorationships
What is an 'explorationship' and are LGBTQ+ daters doing it? Dating experts weigh inAndrii Nekrasov/shutterstock
Unlike many of the toxic dating trends that cropped up this year, "explorationships" are a great option if you’re not ready to state your dating intention up front because you’d rather explore a connection first. This new dating model allows people to explore their feelings for the other person without the pressure to rush into dating.
Learn more about explorationships.
Haunting
What is 'haunting'? Experts explain the toxic dating trend & if LGBTQ+ folks are likely victimsGetty Images
Now, even after you've broken up, the toxic behavior doesn't come to an end. When someone is "haunting" you, you may have moved on, but your ex will resurface, liking your posts or stalking your latest Instagram vacation photo dump.
Learn more about haunting.
Ghostlighting
What is 'ghostlighting'? Dating experts reveal why LGBTQ+ folks do it moreshutterstock creative
A toxic combination of "ghosting" and "gaslighting," when someone "ghostlights" you, they dip out of your life with no explanation and then try to get back in your good graces while trying to trick you into believing that they never ghosted you in the first place.
Learn more about ghostlighting.
Pebbling
What is 'pebbling'? Dating experts explain and reveal why LGBTQ+ folks do it bestLightfield Studios/Shutterstock
Pebbling may just be the most wholesome dating trend ever! Inspired by the Gentoo penguin’s sweet love language of gifting pebbles to their mate, "pebbling" refers to the trend of sending small gifts (or even memes) to someone you're interested in or dating to show affection.
Learn more about pebbling.
Submarining
What is 'submarining' & are LGBTQ+ daters more likely to be victims? Dating experts weigh inVergani_Fotografia/Getty Images
Submarining is what happens when someone ghosts you, but then changes their mind and pops back up in your life as though nothing has happened. It's a manipulative behavior that has become commonplace in 2025.
Learn more about submarining.
Monkey-barring
Did your partner delete your pics on social media? LGBTQ+ dating experts say this trend may be whyengagestock/Shutterstock
Monkey-barring is like if a serial monogamist were also a cheater. Instead of going from one relationship to the next with only a short break in between, someone who is money-barring starts dating someone new before they've totally ended their last relationship.
Learn more monkey-barring.
Banksying
What is 'banksying' & are LGBTQ+ daters more likely to be victims? Sex & dating experts weigh inMDV Edwards/Shutterstock
Taking its name from the famous street artist, banksying is a term for a new selfish way to end a relationship to protect yourself by withdrawing emotionally and destroying the relationship from within, so that when the relationship ends, you’re prepared and your partner is blindsided.
Learn more about banksying.
Quiet dumping
If your partner is distant & stops replying to texts, this may be why, say LGBTQ+ dating experts
LightField Studios/Shutterstock
"Quiet dumping" is a passive way of ending a relationship, where you start withdrawing from the person you're dating without ever formally ending things. This selfish breakup behaviour saves you from the emotional labor of ending the connection.
Learn more about quiet dumping.
Shrekking
What is 'Shrekking'? The toxic Gen Z dating trend explained by LGBTQ+ relationship expertsDreamWorks
Inspired by the popular animated movies, "Shrekking" refers to a dating tactic where people intentionally choose a partner who is less attractive, hoping to find someone with a big heart and a killer personality, and who might be more likely to stick around for the long haul.
Learn more about Shrekking.
Living apart together
What are LAT relationships, and why are some LGBTQ+ couples choosing them?PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock
Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor have it all figured out! They have kept their relationship strong for years by committing to each other without actually living in the same house. This is "living apart together," and it's a new relationship model that may help keep the spark alive for some couples.
Learn more about living apart together.
Bio-baiting
'Bio-baiting' is the latest toxic trend, but is it fooling LGBTQ+ daters? Experts weigh inJodie Mora/Shutterstock; Tada Images/Shutterstock
"Bio-baiting" is an insidious new way for people on dating apps to trick you into swiping right on them. Subtler than catfishing, when someone is bio-baiting, they embellish their dating profile or make minor changes to make themselves more appealing to potential dates or hookups.
Learn more about bio-baiting.
Wildflowering
What is 'wildflowering' & should LGBTQ+ folks jump on this new trend? Dating experts weigh inkoldo_studio/Shutterstock
Unlike the toxic dating trends that seemed to rule 2025, "wildflowering" prioritizes taking things slow, rather than rushing into a relationship with a big commitment attached, and allows you to get to know yourself in the process.
Learn more about wildflowering.
Micro-cheating
What is ‘micro-cheating’? How to spot the signs and what to do according to dating expertsDiego Cervo/Shutterstock
Unlike regular old cheating, "micro-cheating" can be hard to quantify, but it can erode the trust in a relationship in much the same way. With micro-cheating, one partner engages in intimate, but non-physical behaviors, often online — think flirty texts that never lead to IRL cheating or asking for someone's number even if you never use it.
Learn more about micro-cheating.
Sledging
What is 'Sledging,' and are LGBTQ+ daters doing it? Sex and dating experts weigh inGetty Images
This toxic Gen Z dating trend involves people clinging to relationships that aren't working to avoid spending the cold winter months and holidays alone. While it's understandable that someone would want to avoid the loneliness that can creep in when the weather turns, this dating trend is toxic and hurtful.
Learn more about sledging.
