1
as in to marry
to give in marriage a couple eager to espouse their eldest daughter

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2
as in to propose
to take as a spouse heeded his father's advice to espouse someone with whom he had common interests

Synonyms & Similar Words

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3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb espouse differ from other similar words?

The words adopt and embrace are common synonyms of espouse. While all three words mean "to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own," espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes.

espoused the cause of women's rights

In what contexts can adopt take the place of espouse?

The words adopt and espouse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature.

forced to adopt new policies

When might embrace be a better fit than espouse?

The synonyms embrace and espouse are sometimes interchangeable, but embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance.

embraced the customs of their new homeland

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of espouse So many of the ideas espoused by the cutting-edge figures on the far right are reflexively contrarian and fundamentally empty. Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 Senate Democrats also expressed concern about pro-Russia talking points Gabbard has espoused in the years since. Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025 The code of conduct relies upon a divisive definition of antisemitism that some have claimed will be used to censor artists that have espoused pro-Palestine views, whether in their art or elsewhere. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Feb. 2025 The scale and suddenness of this offer is unprecedented in the federal government but typical of slash-and-burn management practices espoused by Trump and his efficiency czar, Elon Musk. Christopher Wong Michaelson and Jennifer Tosti-Kharas, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for espouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espouse
Verb
  • Eve and Maximillion have been married for over a decade, having tied the knot in 2014.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 25 Feb. 2025
  • In May 2024, Brown married Jon Bon Jovi's 22-year-old son, Jake Bongiovi, in Italy.
    Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Last week, the House adopted a budget resolution that paves the way for implementing the president's agenda on border security, defense and energy priorities, while extending the 2017 tax cuts.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Modern technology found in running shoes is slowly being adopted into walking boots and trail shoes, helping to reduce weight while increasing comfort, speed, and performance.
    Chris Haslam, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As a new generation sloughed off the integrationist dreams of their Civil Rights forbears in favor of the Black Power Movement’s call for self-determination, Baraka renegotiated his position as a white literary darling and embraced a racial pride reinforced by righteous anger.
    Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Lastly, while the U.S. is not the first nation to wholeheartedly embrace bitcoin and other on-chain assets at the policy level, the reality is that the actions taken are being watched and analyzed across the globe.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The rest would be covered by borrowing up to an additional $4 trillion, vastly increasing the federal debt.
    Richard McGahey, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The basics of interest rates Interest rates are simply the cost of borrowing money.
    Stephanie Colestock, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Espouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espouse. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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