endorse

verb en·dorse \ in-ˈdȯrs , en- \

variants: or less commonly indorse play \in-ˈdȯrs\

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Definition of endorse

endorsed; endorsing

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

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endorsable

play \in-ˈdȯr-sə-bəl, en-\ adjective

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endorsee

play \in-ˌdȯr-ˈsē, ˌen-\ noun

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endorser

play \in-ˈdȯr-sər, en-\ noun

See endorse defined for English-language learners

See endorse defined for kids

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 of endorse from the Web

Last summer, the Alliance met with tribal leaders asking them to endorse the carbon fee.

— kate yoder, WIRED, "Can This State Finally Put a Price on Carbon?," 7 June 2018
Looking at the suburbs, therefore, provides a way of understanding a vast segment of the public without the need to endorse or slander their homes.

— anthony alofsin, The Atlantic, "A Defense of the Suburbs," 6 June 2018
Citing concerns about Trump's style and substance, the network refused to endorse either presidential candidate in the 2016 election.

— steve peoples, chicagotribune.com, "Conservative icon David Koch leaving business, politics," 5 June 2018
In 1979, when the war was at its peak, Cardinal Obando wrote a pastoral letter urging Nicaraguans not to fear socialism and seeming to endorse the use of revolutionary violence in some circumstances.

— stephen kinzer, BostonGlobe.com, "Miguel Obando y Bravo, 92, key figure in Nicaraguan turmoil," 4 June 2018
There is an immovable group of pro-Trump Americans (around 40 percent in the polls) who seem to endorse the Nike-Woods maxim.

— david hawpe, The Courier-Journal, "Book review: There's more political warfare and polarization in Trump's future," 4 June 2018
Republicans and Democrats held nominating conventions to endorse candidates for statewide office earlier this month, but the November ballot is far from set in stone.

— sandra gomez-aceves, courant.com, "7 Questions Answered About Connecticut's August Primaries," 28 May 2018
The tax break, which the village would need to endorse, would lower the property’s assessment level from 25 percent of fair market value, which is the level used for commercial property, to 10 percent, or the same level as homes are assessed at.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Tinley Park considers tax breaks to keep one business from leaving, attract another," 26 May 2018
The county teachers’ union is furious with Baker and lobbied for the influential state union to endorse one of his competitors.

— erin cox, baltimoresun.com, "In governor's race, Democrat Rushern Baker says he turned around Prince George's and will do same for Maryland," 17 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'endorse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of endorse

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1581

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

endorse Synonyms

Phrases

go in for, go to bat for, hold a brief for, stand up for, stick up for;

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

ENDORSE Defined for English Language Learners

endorse

verb

Definition of endorse for English Language Learners

: to publicly or officially say that you support or approve of (someone or something)
: to publicly say that you like or use (a product or service) in exchange for money
: to write your name on the back of (a check)

ENDORSE Defined for Kids

endorse

verb en·dorse \ in-ˈdȯrs \

Definition of endorse for Students

endorsed; endorsing

1 : to show support or approval for

endorse an idea

2 : to sign the back of to receive payment

endorse a check

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endorsement

\-mənt\ noun

Law Dictionary

endorse

transitive verb en·dorse

variants: also indorse \in-ˈdȯrs\

legal Definition of endorse

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