endorse

verb en·dorse \ in-ˈdȯrs , en- \

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

Definition of endorse

endorsed; endorsing

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

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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

Despite a huge outpouring of opposition, the Louisville Metro Planning Commission has endorsed requested rezoning for the 198-unit, senior-housing project called Prospect Cove along River Road in far eastern Jefferson County.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "Prospect doesn't want this senior housing project. Planners approved the rezoning anyway," 30 Aug. 2017
Montgomery, Ala. (AP) -- Former Vice President Joe Biden has endorsed a Democratic candidate in Alabama's U.S. Senate race to fill the seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

— Bloomberg.com, "Joe Biden Endorses Candidate in Alabama Senate Race," 11 Aug. 2017
And purpleplans.org lists a large number of economists, including Nobel Laureates, who have endorsed the German way.

— laurence kotlikoff, The Seattle Times, "On health care, let’s ask Germany," 29 July 2017
President Trump’s relationship with Bob Vander Plaats was rocky when the Iowa evangelical and political activist decided to endorse Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) for president.

— cleve r. wootson jr., Washington Post, "An evangelical leader’s suggestion to Trump: Wash Scaramucci’s potty mouth and fire him," 29 July 2017
The Illinois Federation of Teachers, a longtime supporter of Democrats in Springfield, endorsed Democratic Blagojevich in his 2006 re-election campaign, donating over $515,000 in the two-year election cycle.

— ray long, chicagotribune.com, "Judge denies windfall to teachers union lobbyist who was substitute for one day," 27 July 2017
China, whose leader, Xi Jinping, has established close ties with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, has not endorsed Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

— andrew higgins, New York Times, "China and Russia Hold First Joint Naval Drill in the Baltic Sea," 25 July 2017
Bush endorsed Mallea in the primary, but that proved to be insufficient — especially after Perez cast Mallea as a traitor for backing Bush over Rubio in the 2016 presidential election.

— patricia mazzei and alexandria bordas, miamiherald, "Perez wins Republican primary in special Miami House election," 25 July 2017
In a landmark report, scientists have endorsed three strategies for preventing dementia and cognitive decline associated with normal aging — being physically active, engaging in cognitive training and controlling high blood pressure.

— judith graham, Kaiser Health News, "These Preventive Measures Might Help Delay Dementia Or Cognitive Decline," 20 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

endorse Synonyms

Synonyms

advocate, back, champion, support (also indorse), patronize, plump (for), plunk (for) or plonk (for)

Related Words

adopt, embrace, espouse; abet, aid, assist, help, prop (up), second, side (with); backstop, bolster, boost, buttress, reinforce (also reenforce); advance, forward, further; plug, preach, talk up; bail out, deliver, rescue, save

Near Antonyms

baffle, foil, frustrate, interfere, oppose, sabotage, thwart; desert, disappoint, fail, let down

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