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

Examples 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 Even so, those fundamental values espoused in the original Toontown—of teamwork, of working toward the greater good, of having fun—live on. —

J. Clara Chan, WIRED, 24 Dec. 2024 Psychologist and political adviser Dr. Reneé Carr offered her verdict on how the new hairdo could espouse power and dominance. —

Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024 This is what Nottingham Forest’s manager espouses himself. —

Ciarán McArdle, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 Martin, while espousing a ‘trust the process’ approach, has not shown great faith in his players. —

Michael Cox, The Athletic, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for espouse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for espouse

Verb

Using color and music to tell that story — celebrating Black culture — the collection marries Black Radiance’s beauty know-how for darker skin tones with Cross Colours’ familiar palette of red, yellow, black and green, as well as its connection to ’80s and ’90s hip-hop.

Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 20 Dec. 2024
Complexity, therefore, marries with the barley malt not so much to tame it as to balance and enhance it.

John Mariani, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024