spousal

1 of 2

adjective

spou·​sal ˈspau̇-zəl How to pronounce spousal (audio)
-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
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Adjective
That agreement also addresses spousal support, attorney’s fees, child support and custody of the former couple’s 5-year-old daughter, Isabella, although specific details have not been made public. Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025 Richards' attorney told Fox News Digital Phypers was arrested on spousal abuse charges. Tracy Wright , Christina Dugan Ramirez , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Earlier this month, Bernad filed a petition in court requesting $250,856 per month in spousal support, plus $300,000 for legal fees and $200,000 for forensic accounting fees. Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025 Phillips, the daughter of Mamas & the Papas frontman John Phillips and actress Genevieve Waite, also requested spousal support at the time, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spousal

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of spousal was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spousal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spousal. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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