shotgun marriage
Coerced hurried union
A shotgun marriage is a wedding that occurs because the bride is pregnant, implying the groom was pressured into it—historically by the bride's family, with the shotgun suggesting threat of force.
The term extends to any hasty union compelled by circumstance rather than choice: The merger was a shotgun marriage forced by regulators.
Also called a shotgun wedding.
Not arranged beforehand
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- premaritalBefore the wedding
- conceptionFormation of an idea
- babyVery young child
pregnant · father · mother · out-of-wedlock · illegitimate · paternity · maternity · trimester
Force upon contact
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- reluctantUnwilling to act
cornered · trapped · demanded · insisted · arranged · compelled · unwilling · hasty
Disgraceful public affair
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
- disgraceLoss of honor
whispers · judgment · honor · respectability · propriety · appearances · neighbors · community
Legal proceedings venue
Act of obtaining something
- expedientUseful if not ideal
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- necessityIndispensable requirement
unplanned
Not arranged beforehand
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- premaritalBefore the wedding
- conceptionFormation of an idea
baby · pregnant · father · mother · out-of-wedlock · illegitimate · paternity · maternity · trimester · showing
pressure
Force upon contact
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
reluctant · cornered · trapped · demanded · insisted · arranged · compelled · unwilling · hasty · rushed
scandal
Disgraceful public affair
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
disgrace · whispers · judgment · honor · respectability · propriety · appearances · neighbors · community
courthouse
Legal proceedings venue
vows · registry · officiant · chapel · informal · simple · private
acquisition
Act of obtaining something
- expedientUseful if not ideal
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- necessityIndispensable requirement