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

Quantum-Ready Recommendations To navigate this transition and safeguard against future threats, organizations must adopt a proactive and strategic approach that will take most organizations several years to complete. —Anand Oswal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Her owner, Bailey B, told Newsweek that the 1-year-old feline is named Marty, and that she had been adopted from Vermont animal rescue shelter, All About The Kitties Adoption and Rescue. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

But what Helen really did to process her grief was adopt a goshawk. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025

New Mexico would have two years to adopt a plan to manage and share water along its southernmost stretch of the Rio Grande. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025