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Commit to Learning the History of Espouse
As you might guess, the words espouse and spouse are hitched, both coming from the Latin verb spondēre, meaning “to promise” or “to betroth.” In fact, the two were once completely interchangeable, with each serving as a noun meaning “a newly married person” or “a husband or wife” and also as a verb meaning “to marry.” Their semantic separation began when the noun espouse fell out of use. Nowadays, espouse is most often encountered as a verb used in the figuratively extended sense “to commit to and support as a cause.”
Examples of espouse in a Sentence
Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 7 May 2025
These factors contribute to a high investment risk for private ventures while simultaneously tarnishing the image of liberal states that espouse Western ideals.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
In the years since Rowling began espousing anti-trans rhetoric, several Harry Potter stars — including franchise leads Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson — have spoken out against her, in support of the trans community.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2025
And now, all of a sudden, the Democrats are espousing Milton Friedman (an economist who advocated free-market capitalism) and Adam Smith (an economist considered the father of capitalism).
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for espouse
Cite this Entry
“Espouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/espouse. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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