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

Major retailers have successfully adopted Packsize’s technology,including Walmart’s innovative NextGen fulfillment centers, demonstrating both operationalefficiency and environmental benefits. — Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Last year, the General Assembly set a deadline for public school districts to adopt policies by next month to address cellphone use in schools, leaving it up to districts to determine the details. — Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 24 June 2026

Ninety-one percent of organizations have two or more AI coding tools in active use and 78 percent report that developers are writing and committing code faster since adopting AI tools. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 24 June 2026

At Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, an unlikely employee is helping increase a dog's chance to get adopted. — Itay Hod, CBS News, 24 June 2026