Synonyms of adopt

adopt

verb

ə-ˈdäpt 

as in to borrow

to take for one's own use (something originated by another)

shortly after moving to the U.S., the family dutifully adopted the American tradition of having turkey for Thanksgiving

Synonyms & Similar Words

• borrow
• embrace
• cultivate
• assimilate
• take up
• follow
• take on
• espouse
• incorporate
• utilize
• use
• imitate
• pick up on
• copy
• appropriate
• absorb
• usurp
• foster
• domesticate
• take over
• honor
• raise
• cherish
• heed
• naturalize
• affect
• simulate
• quote
• treasure
• nurture
• pretend
• arrogate
• assume
• prize
• put on
• bring up
• rear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abandon
• relinquish
• surrender
• forsake
• give up
• reject
• renounce
• disown
• abjure
• repudiate
• spurn
• discard
• jettison
• throw away
• throw out
• abnegate
• junk

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb adopt differ from other similar words?

The words embrace and espouse are common synonyms of adopt. While all three words mean "to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own," adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature.

forced to adopt new policies

In what contexts can embrace take the place of adopt?

Although the words embrace and adopt have much in common, embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance.

embraced the customs of their new homeland

When might espouse be a better fit than adopt?

While in some cases nearly identical to adopt, espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes.

espoused the cause of women's rights

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of adopt

Notably, the report found that respondents expressed more interest in adopting intelligent wearables when Snapdragon was introduced as the enabling platform. — IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2026

Some of you might even be adopting a new pet who will get you out the door every day on walks or otherwise rebalance the harmony in your home for the better. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026

The practice wasn’t adopted in the United States until 1918, the Smithsonian Magazine said. — Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026

The United States briefly adopted permanent Daylight Saving Time during the energy crisis in 1974 but reversed course within months, in part because of concerns about children traveling to school in the dark. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026