endorse

verb

en·​dorse in-ˈdȯrs 

en-

variants or less commonly indorse

in-ˈdȯrs 

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

in-ˈdȯr-sə-bəl 

en-

adjective

endorsee

in-ˌdȯr-ˈsē 

ˌen-

noun

endorser

in-ˈdȯr-sər 

en-

noun

Synonyms of endorse

• advocate
• support

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

He was then asked if anyone cared that Schumer did not endorse in the New York City mayoral race. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025

The farm’s owners disputed the CFIA’s conclusions, arguing that the ostriches that survived the flu might offer disease-fighting antibodies for research – an idea that Kennedy endorsed in his letter to the CFIA in May after meeting with Canadian officials. —Max Saltman, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025

Not only has Rodrigo been vocal in her opposition to Trump, endorsing his opponent Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, but she’s also specifically called out his harsh crackdown on immigration by way of ICE raids this past year. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025

Stefanik has harshly criticized Hochul and Mamdani Stefanik has been critical of both Hochul and Mamdani, whom the governor endorsed for mayor, in recent months. —Terry Collins, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for endorse

• concourse
• divorce
• enforce
• indorse
• midcourse
• outsource
• perforce
• racecourse
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse
• workforce

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

in-ˌdȯ(ə)r-ˈsē 

noun

endorser noun

Medical Definition

endorse

verb

en·​dorse in-ˈdȯrs 

en-

endorsed; endorsing

: to report or note the presence of (a symptom)

The patient endorsed progressively decreased vision in the left eye for three months duration.

—Megan S. Steinkerchner et al., American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports

Note: Due to the possibility for misinterpretation, this use of endorse is considered inappropriate by some health care professionals, with report, state, or complain of preferred when describing a patient's acknowledgment of symptoms.

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 debt

—Uniform 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