spousal
adjective
spou·sal
| \ ˈspau̇-zəl
, -səl\
, -səl\
Definition of spousal
(Entry 1 of 2)
: of, relating to, or involving a spouse
spousal affection spousal assault spousal support
spousal
nounDefinition of spousal (Entry 2 of 2)
: nuptials
—usually used in plural
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Examples of spousal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Ghost guns are the killing tools for felons with rap sheets or spousal abusers under restraining orders — the type of mentally messed up shooter who even the National Rifle Assn. — Los Angeles Times, "‘Ghost guns’ let bad guys ignore gun control laws. It’s time to get rid of them," 22 Aug. 2019 Vallario, a criminal defense lawyer who was elected to the General Assembly in 1974, has been portrayed by his critics as too easy on drunk drivers, rapists and spousal abusers. — Rachel Chason, Washington Post, "‘Political earthquake’: Progressives oust Democratic incumbents in statehouse primaries," 27 June 2018 Castaneda was convicted in 2009 of spousal abuse and paroled after serving about a year in prison, corrections officials said. — Washington Post, "Suspect in deadly California rampage pleads not guilty," 9 Aug. 2019 Castaneda was convicted in 2009 of spousal abuse and paroled after serving about a year in prison, corrections officials said. — Amy Taxin, chicagotribune.com, "Man ‘full of anger’ kills 4 people, wounds 2 in random stabbing and robbery spree in California, police say," 8 Aug. 2019 The subtext of spousal abuse, coupled with a tragic fate that befalls one of the store’s workers, lends the film, by Thomas Stuber, a melancholy tone bordering on the morose. — Michael O'sullivan, Twin Cities, "Love blossoms in the aisles of a big-box store in the German drama ‘In the Aisles’," 18 July 2019 The subtext of spousal abuse, coupled with a tragic fate that befalls one of the store’s workers, lends the film, by Thomas Stuber, a melancholy tone bordering on the morose. — Michael O'sullivan, Twin Cities, "Love blossoms in the aisles of a big-box store in the German drama ‘In the Aisles’," 18 July 2019 Hong Kong’s highest court ruled today (June 6) that the government must give spousal benefits to a gay civil servant and his spouse, following multiple legal challenges by the government. — Isabella Steger, Quartz, "A gay Hong Kong civil servant finally won the right to benefits for his spouse," 6 June 2019 Dumpty’s first pick for Acosta’s position Could hardly have been more obtuse: Andy Puzder, renowned for his cheeseburger porno And rumors of spousal abuse. — John Lithgow, The New Yorker, "Acosta Agonistes," 11 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spousal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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