endorse

verb

en·​dorse in-ˈdȯrs How to pronounce endorse (audio)
en-
variants or less commonly indorse
endorsed also indorsed; endorsing also indorsing; endorses also indorses

transitive verb

1
a
: to write on the back of
especially : to sign one's name as payee on the back of (a check) in order to obtain the cash or credit represented on the face
b
: to inscribe (one's signature) on a check, bill, or note
c
: to inscribe (something, such as an official document) with a title or memorandum
d
: to make over to another (the value represented in a check, bill, or note) by inscribing one's name on the document
e
: to acknowledge receipt of (a sum specified) by one's signature on a document
2
a
: to approve openly
endorse an idea
especially : to express support or approval of publicly and definitely
endorse a mayoral candidate
b
: to recommend (something, such as a product or service) usually for financial compensation
shoes endorsed by a pro basketball player
3
medical : to report or note the presence of (a symptom)
He endorsed nausea without emesis and denied any associated shortness of breath.Dana Johnson et al.
endorsable adjective
endorsee noun
endorser noun
Choose the Right Synonym for endorse

approve, endorse, sanction, accredit, certify mean to have or express a favorable opinion of.

approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.

the parents approve of the marriage

endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.

the board voted to accredit the college
must be certified to teach

Examples of endorse in a Sentence

The newspaper has endorsed the conservative candidate for mayor. We do not endorse their position. She endorses a line of clothing. That brand of sneaker is endorsed by several basketball stars. You must endorse the check before you deposit it in the bank.
Recent Examples on the Web Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian on Wednesday defended using a city email account to support a candidate whom Krekorian had endorsed in Tuesday’s primary election. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Swiftly following her speech Wednesday, Trump's campaign in a fundraising email claimed that Haley had endorsed his candidacy and did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the message. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2024 Yesterday, McConnell endorsed Trump for president — as he was expected to do. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Mar. 2024 Of the 47 nations that endorsed the 2009 Terezin Declaration, which incorporated the principles, seven have made major progress, three have made substantial progress, 13 have made some progress and some 24 countries have made little or no progress, according to Tuesday’s report. Carlie Porterfield, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 Paxton is targeting House Speaker Dade Phelan, who led the attempt, by endorsing his challenger David Covey along with more than 30 of Phelan’s Republican House colleagues who voted against him on corruption and abuse of office allegations. USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 Nor does Deloitte advocate or endorse any individuals or entities featured on the episodes. Fortune Editors, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 Times journalists are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. Jonathan Weisman Ruth Fremson, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Some prominent politicians have endorsed, including former GOP presidential candidate and Evendale native Vivek Ramaswamy, who dropped out of the presidential race after the Iowa caucuses in January and has endorsed and campaigned for Trump. Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'endorse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of obsolete endoss, from Middle English endosen, from Anglo-French endosser, to put on, don, write on the back of, from en- + dos back, from Latin dorsum

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of endorse was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near endorse

Cite this Entry

“Endorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endorse. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

endorse

verb
en·​dorse
variants also indorse
in-ˈdȯ(ə)rs
endorsed; endorsing
1
: to sign the back of (a check, bank note, or bill) especially to receive payment, to indicate method of payment, or to transfer to someone else
2
: to show support or approval of
endorse a candidate
endorsee noun
endorser noun

Legal Definition

endorse

transitive verb
en·​dorse
variants also indorse
in-ˈdȯrs
endorsed also indorsed; endorsing also indorsing
1
: to write on the back of
especially : to sign one's name as payee on the back of (an instrument) in order to receive the cash or credit represented on the face
endorse a check
2
: to inscribe (as one's signature or a notation accompanied by one's signature) on an instrument (as a note or bill) especially to transfer or guarantee it
3
: to transfer (an instrument) to another by inscribing one's signature
assume that payee endorses a note to creditor as security for a debtUniform Commercial Code
4
: to inscribe (as an official document) with a notation (as of date or title)
Etymology

Anglo-French endosser endorser and Medieval Latin indorsare, both ultimately from Latin in on + dorsum back

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