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

The goal was to foster education in agriculture, particularly of new methods that established farmers (like the boys’ fathers) were hesitant to adopt. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 July 2025

Some may opt for a bell-to-bell ban on device use, while others may adopt restrictions during classroom time only. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 25 July 2025

While many Japanese fishers are trained in ike jime, the practice isn’t widely adopted in the US — and growing demand for humane harvesting techniques and high-quality seafood could generate appetite for the fish-killing robot. —Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 25 July 2025

Jackie is available as a foster or to adopt, and anyone interested should contact the Babylon Animal Shelter in Amityville, New York. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025