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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
  • Jerry heeded Rosie’s counsel and forfeited his chance of marrying and having children.
    Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Lopez and Affleck married in 2022 and finalized their divorce in January 2025.
    Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Users started to adopt password manager tools to reduce their cognitive load, but these solutions aren't foolproof, either.
    Ranjitkumar Sivakumar, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • Jackson also opted to embrace the sheer trend for Stella McCartney’s fall 2025 show in Paris on Weds.
    Marissa Muller, WWD, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The result is a new era for Galveston, which is keeping its history alive while embracing what's next.
    Mariah Tyler, Travel + Leisure, 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
  • Yes, but: This week, WBEZ reported that the mayor has renewed calls for the CPS board to borrow money to pay for those pensions.
    Monica Eng, Axios, 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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