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 Many of the top people who worked under Trump — including members of the cabinet — will not endorse him either. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 18 Mar. 2024 Former Vice President Mike Pence will not endorse Donald Trump for president. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 The plan had been endorsed by her late husband before his death. TIME, 18 Mar. 2024 The decision not to endorse Trump appears to be a departure from early in the primary campaign. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2024 Times journalists are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 For Donley, the decision to add a political bent to her videos and endorse the boycott was a natural progression. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 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

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 28 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

More from Merriam-Webster on endorse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!