spousal

1 of 2

adjective

spou·​sal ˈspau̇-zəl 

-səl

: of, relating to, or involving a spouse

spousal affection

spousal assault

spousal support

spousally adverb

spousal

2 of 2

noun

: nuptials

—usually used in plural

Examples of spousal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Arrow alum is asking for the court to terminate spousal support for both parties, as well as for both parties to pay their separate attorneys' fees. —Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025

She was ordered to pay Brandon Blackstock $1.3 million, $45,000 per month in child support and $115,000 a month in spousal support until Jan. 31, 2024. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Noun

In their divorce, Reynolds was ordered to pay Anderson $15,000 per month in spousal support, roughly $30,000 per month in today's dollars, per Celebrity Net Worth. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Aug. 2025

There are several reasons some Americans have waning confidence in the program, which pays out retirement, survivor, spousal and disability benefits to more than 74 million people. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English spousaille, from Anglo-French spousailles, espusailles espousal

First Known Use

Adjective

1904, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spousal

• arousal
• espousal