espouse

es·pouse

verb \is-ˈpau̇z also -ˈpau̇s\

es·pousedes·pous·ing

Definition of ESPOUSE

transitive verb

1

: marry

2

: to take up and support as a cause : become attached to

— es·pous·er noun

Examples of ESPOUSE

1. The new theory has been espoused by many leading physicists.
2. Those espousing unpopular views were often excluded.

Origin of ESPOUSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French espuser, from Late Latin sponsare to betroth, from Latin sponsus betrothed — more at spouse

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ESPOUSE

Synonyms: marry, match, wed

Antonyms: divorce

Related Words: commit, engage; affiance, betroth, pledge, promise

Near Antonyms: separate (from)

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at adopt

Rhymes with ESPOUSE

alehouse, almshouse, baghouse, bathhouse, Bauhaus, big house, birdhouse, black grouse, blockhouse, boathouse, book louse, bughouse, bunkhouse, call house, cathouse, chophouse, clean house, clubhouse, cookhouse, courthouse, crab louse, crack house, deckhouse, deer mouse, degauss, delouse, doghouse, dollhouse, dormouse, farmhouse, field house, field mouse, firehouse, flophouse, full house, fun house, gashouse, gatehouse, glasshouse, great house, greenhouse, grind house, guardhouse, guesthouse, hash house, head louse, henhouse, hothouse, house mouse, icehouse, in-house, jailhouse, joss house, keep house, lighthouse, lobscouse, longhouse, madhouse, Manaus, milk house, nuthouse, outhouse, penthouse, pesthouse, playhouse, poorhouse, ranch house, rest house, roadhouse, roughhouse, roundhouse, ruffed grouse, safe house, sage grouse, sandgrouse, schoolhouse, sea mouse, smokehouse, springhouse, statehouse, steak house, storehouse, teahouse, third house, titmouse, tollhouse, Toll House, town house, tract house, tree house, warehouse, washhouse, wheelhouse, White House, whorehouse, Wodehouse, wood louse, workhouse