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
-
To me, jobs in this industry feel like a bunch of little marriages.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
25 Aug. 2025
-
The notion of destroying marriages and undoing family relationships would be extremely difficult for the Court to justify.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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His first engagement is at the annual awards for WellChild.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Thatcher Commentarystudent loans and debt My wife sold her engagement ring to pay our tax bill.—
Brian Walsh,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hailey and Justin welcomed their son in August 2024, three months after renewing their wedding vows in Hawaii.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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Guests arrived to the ceremony via ferry — a weirdly poetic parallel to the guest transportation for Connor's Succession season 4 wedding ceremony.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Espousal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espousal. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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