rite vs espousal

rite and espousal both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
rite	Yes	No	No	No
espousal	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, espousal is a hyponym of rite; that is, espousal is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than rite:

Other hyponyms of rite include betrothal, marriage, marriage ceremony, wedding, rite of passage.

rite (noun)	espousal (noun)
any customary observance or practice	the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception
an established ceremony prescribed by a religion	archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast
	the act of becoming betrothed or engaged