civil union

noun

Definition of civil unionnext
as in domestic partnership

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of civil union Benefits — other than the merchandise discounts — applied to both former commissioners and eligible family members, including spouses or civil union partners and dependent children up to age 21. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 Mary and Romain entered into a civil union in 2018, and celebrated their nuptials with a wedding ceremony the following year. — Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024 In 2018, Mary entered a civil union with her husband Romain Bonnet, celebrating their nuptials with a wedding ceremony the following year. — Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for civil union
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil union
  1. domestic partnership
  2. cohabitation
  3. relationship
  4. mixed marriage
Noun
  • Math alone makes opening domestic partnership to polyamorous relationships challenging.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Life is full of necessary but mundane tasks, and in a domestic partnership, division of labor—who is doing the cooking, who is cleaning, who's got a handle on laundry—always comes up.
    — Jana Pollack, Parents, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of domestic partnership
Noun
  • Forced into an uneasy cohabitation, the two navigate a sweet yet morally complex web of secrets and survival.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Those included a cohabitation agreement that said the couple would live together and soon marry.
    — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
Definition of cohabitation
Noun
  • Carranza said a decade-long relationship ended in an international tragedy.
    — Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Bret’s voice-over explains his relationship with Debbie was part of his public persona, while his relationship with Matt was a secret.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of relationship
Noun
  • His mother, Marie Jillich, went by Miriam to appease her in-laws who disapproved of the mixed marriage.
    — Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
  • Of the educationally mixed marriages, the majority—62 percent—were hypogamous, up from 39 percent in 1980.
    — Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of mixed marriage

Browse Nearby Words

civil servants
civil union
civil unions
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Cite this Entry

“Civil union.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil%20union. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on civil union

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about civil union

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