1
2
as in engagement
the act or state of being engaged to be married
considering how long her previous marriage lasted, she'd be wise to have an extended espousal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of espousal
The Trump administration is also unwinding another key tool of American soft power: the country’s espousal of liberal democratic values.
—
Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
Supporting Yoon’s impeachment, Lee has also condemned Yoon’s unconstitutional abuse of martial law and espousal of election fraud conspiracy theory.
—Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
The actually existing transatlantic relationship has long been based on a common espousal of liberal democracy, built on the legacy of defeating fascism in World War II.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
The tradition is an espousal of values, holding space for connection and unhurried conversation.
—Olivia Schellenberg, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2024
The 24-year-old is part of a community of women who have gained popularity — and notoriety — online for their espousal of what can feel like antiquated dating guidance.
—Angela Yang, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2024
He has been both praised and widely criticized for his espousal of the necessity of traditional gender roles.
—David Marchese David Marchese Photograph By Mamadi Doumbouya, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023
First elected to Congress in 2020, Greene drew criticism for her espousal of extremist beliefs and using racist and antisemitic rhetoric.
—Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Jan. 2023
Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
Supporting Yoon’s impeachment, Lee has also condemned Yoon’s unconstitutional abuse of martial law and espousal of election fraud conspiracy theory.
—Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
The actually existing transatlantic relationship has long been based on a common espousal of liberal democracy, built on the legacy of defeating fascism in World War II.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
The tradition is an espousal of values, holding space for connection and unhurried conversation.
—Olivia Schellenberg, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2024
The 24-year-old is part of a community of women who have gained popularity — and notoriety — online for their espousal of what can feel like antiquated dating guidance.
—Angela Yang, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2024
He has been both praised and widely criticized for his espousal of the necessity of traditional gender roles.
—David Marchese David Marchese Photograph By Mamadi Doumbouya, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023
First elected to Congress in 2020, Greene drew criticism for her espousal of extremist beliefs and using racist and antisemitic rhetoric.
—Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Jan. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espousal
Noun
-
At the height of a cinema career that spanned some 28 films and three marriages, Bardot came to symbolize a nation bursting out of bourgeois respectability.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Dec. 2025
-
Not middle-aged adults with three past marriages and two homes between them.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Classes at the downtown campus will be primarily focused on research, workforce development and community engagement, McCusition said.—
Samuel O'Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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The message featured a video of the reality TV stars walking toward each other and then holding hands, with Smith's engagement ring on display.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That was until about a month before Adams' wedding, when her mother, April, stumbled upon the outfit while cleaning out some boxes in storage.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
There are moments in life—weddings, red carpets, etc.—
Eva Thomas,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Espousal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espousal. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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