ESPOUSE Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

espouse

verb

i-ˈspau̇z

Definition of espouse next

as in to marry

to give in marriage a couple eager to espouse their eldest daughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to adopt

to take for one's own use (something originated by another) after working among them for two years in the Peace Corps, she felt compelled to espouse the peasants' cause for social justice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Jean-Marie Le Pen, the far-right French leader who espoused racist and antisemitic rhetoric and was convicted of Holocaust denial, has died at 96. —

Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025 Former vice president shared a cryptic tweet espousing the merits of humility ahead of the Capitol riot anniversary. —

Hugh Cameron, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 The data also shows that QAnon believers are more likely to be evangelical Christians, and those who espouse Christian nationalist views are about three times more likely to embrace QAnon beliefs than those who reject or are skeptical of Christian nationalism. —

David Gilbert, WIRED, 23 Dec. 2024 This leaves immigrant rights groups, immigration attorneys and undocumented immigrants in those states in a difficult position: gearing up to fight upcoming immigration policies espoused by Trump, supported by a majority of voters in their region. —

Morgan Radford, NBC News, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for espouse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for espouse

Verb

Two teenage club skaters, Jinna Han, 13, of Mansfield, and Spencer Lane, 16, of Barrington, R.I., their mothers, Jin Han and Christine Lane, and coaches, married couple Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, all died in the country’s deadliest air disaster in a generation.

— Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
Where to watch:Peacock ‘You’re Cordially Invited’ Weddings are double-booked at the same island inn venue for a devoted girl dad (Will Ferrell) marrying off his daughter (Geraldine Viswanathan) and a reality TV producer (Reese Witherspoon) planning a big day for her little sister (Meredith Hagner).

— Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025