mésalliance

The nobleman's marriage to the actress was considered a mésalliance by his family.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A marriage with a person of inferior social position; a misalliance. This term specifically refers to a union considered unsuitable because of differences in social rank, wealth, or class.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The duke's marriage to the commoner was viewed by the aristocracy as a mésalliance. (A union deemed socially inappropriate due to class differences.)
  • Her family opposed the mésalliance, fearing it would tarnish their reputation. (A marriage considered beneath one's social standing.)

Advanced Usage

• "to contract a mésalliance": to enter into a marriage with someone of lower social status.

  • In Victorian society, contracting a mésalliance could result in social ostracism. (Entering such a marriage could lead to exclusion from elite circles.)

• "a mésalliance of taste": a figurative use meaning an incongruous or mismatched combination.

  • The art critic described the gallery's exhibit as a mésalliance of modern and classical styles. (An awkward or unsuitable mixture.)

Variants and Related Words

• Misalliance (n): a synonym, often used interchangeably, referring to an unsuitable or incompatible alliance, especially in marriage.
  • Their marriage was a misalliance from the start, given their conflicting backgrounds. (An unsuitable union.)

Synonyms

• Misalliance: a marriage or alliance that is inappropriate or ill-suited.
• Unequal marriage: a union between partners of different social or economic status.

Related Idioms

• Marrying beneath one's station: a common expression meaning to marry someone of lower social rank.

  • The baroness was accused of marrying beneath her station when she wed the stable hand. (A mésalliance in practice.)

• A match made in hell: a humorous or dramatic idiom for a disastrous or unsuitable pairing.

  • Their constant arguing proved the marriage was a match made in hell. (An ill-fated union.)