1
as in marriage
a ceremony in which two people are united in matrimony the expected espousal of the Hollywood actor and the singing superstar should attract the elite of show business

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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

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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 espousal 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 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 Spotify’s Joe Rogan controversy—with musicians and podcasters removing their material from the platform in protest of Rogan’s espousal of COVID vaccine misinformation—is exposing cracks in its content strategy. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 3 Feb. 2022 Lev Tahor’s choice of Iran is perhaps connected to its espousal of anti-Zionism. Asaf Shalev, sun-sentinel.com, 10 Nov. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espousal
Noun
  • Their four kids from previous marriages were grown and out of the house.
    William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Christie Brinkley opens up in new memoir 'Uptown Girl' Actress, entrepreneur and model Christie Brinkley joins ‘FOX & Friends’ to discuss her new memoir ‘Uptown Girl,’ which reflects on her early life, marriages and career in the public eye.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Here is Kim’s engagement ring, a gift from her then-husband, then known as Kanye West, its stone as clear as glass and as big as a grape.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025
  • Subscribe Sidelined throughout much of the recent peace brokering, European officials have raced to engage with the White House, with British, U.S., Italian, French and German leaders discussing Trump’s upcoming engagement with Putin during a call on Sunday.
    Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Miller’s father, Sonny, was even the best man at Les Paul’s wedding.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 20 May 2025
  • The first step: drug everyone at Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) and Commander Wharton's (Josh Charles) wedding.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Espousal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espousal. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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