noun phrase · formal
spousal support
UK/ˈspaʊzəl səˈpɔːt/US/ˈspaʊzəl səˈpɔrt/SPAUS·al sup·PORT
financial payments one spouse may be required to pay to the other after separation or divorce
Examples
“He was ordered to pay spousal support for five years.”
“Spousal support is intended to help the lower-earning partner become independent.”
“They agreed on spousal support during divorce negotiations.”
Band 8 sentence
“Given the disparity in their incomes, the court ordered him to provide spousal support for a fixed period.”
Collocations
- pay spousal support
- receive spousal support
Word family
Common mistakes
support spouse→spousal support
sponsor my wife→pay spousal support
Say it for a higher band
5give money to my ex→6pay alimony→7+spousal support
Synonyms
alimony
Easily confused
child support
“He pays both child support and spousal support after the divorce.”
Related words
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In Family & Relationships
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